King Mohammed VI oversees Family Code reform: 100 proposed amendments under review  (Read more...)

€50 million AfDB-Bank of Africa partnership to boost African trade

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and BANK OF AFRICA SA signed a 50 million euro (~530 million dirhams) risk-sharing agreement on December 4, 2024, in Rabat, aimed at supporting the private sector and boosting intra-African trade. The agreement, formalized on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum (December 4-6 in Rabat), will enable BOA to strengthen its support for local African banks in their international transactions. This notably involves expanding their financing and

CAF Women's Awards : Morocco shortlisted in every category

Morocco has been shortlisted in all the women's categories for the CAF Awards 2024, published Wednesday on the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) website. AS FAR striker Sanaa Mssoudy is in the running for the title of Woman's Player of the Year, while team-mate Khadija Er-Rmichi is among the contenders for the title of Women's Goalkeeper of the Year. The two national team players were also nominated for the Interclub player of the year award, alongside their teammate at the Doha El

King Mohammed VI appoints new ANRE head, expands mandate

At Wednesday's Council of Ministers meeting, King Mohammed VI ordered a review of the prerogatives of the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (ANRE), established on May 26, 2016, under the Benkirane government. The sovereign called on the government to revise ANRE's scope, according to a statement from the Royal Palace spokesman. The proposed revision aims to expand ANRE's mandate beyond electricity to cover all components of the energy sector, including natural gas, emerging energies

Morocco and Latin America establish Parliamentary Economic Forum

The President of the Chamber of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid, signed a joint declaration on Wednesday, December 4, in Panama City with his counterparts from PARLACEN (Central American Parliament), PARLATINO (Latin American and Caribbean Parliament), PARLANDINO (Andean Parliament), and PARLASUR (Mercosur Parliament). The agreement establishes a Morocco-Latin America and Caribbean Parliamentary Economic Forum. This platform seeks to promote sustainable economic development, strengthen

Ride-Hailing driver arrested for punching passenger

Police in Tangier have arrested a ride-hailing driver for punching a woman in public, an incident captured on video and widely shared on social media. According to media reports, the driver got into a dispute, Monday, with the woman he was transporting, which escalated into a physical assault. The victim filed a complaint with the authorities, prompting an investigation that led to the identification and arrest of the suspect. He is currently in custody under the supervision of the

Moroccan Influence House : Morocco's first influencer residence

On December 11, Morocco will witness the launch of the «Moroccan Influence House», an event that will offer new perspectives for the kingdom's digital scene. Founded by Zey Agency, Morocco's leading influencer management, press relations, and influencer marketing agency, the «Moroccan Influence House» will provide a true immersion in a creative universe where 200 Moroccan influencers will be trained during creative Boot Camps. The aim is to propel the next generation of

Panama : Algerian Assembly President faces cold reception

The President of the Assembly of Algeria Ibrahim Boughali arrived in Panama City, Tuesday, to take part in a new session of PARLATINO. Algeria has just been granted observer member status at the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament. Boughali's visit follows Panama's decision on November 21 to suspend its recognition of the «SADR». This position was reiterated last week by Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez, to his Moroccan counterpart,

AfDB President praises Morocco's infrastructure progress ahead of major sports events

Morocco is making significant strides in infrastructure development, particularly in water, sanitation, railways, and airport facilities, according to Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Speaking on Wednesday in Rabat, Adesina praised the country’s progress during a press briefing on the sidelines of the 5th Africa Investment Forum (AIF). «This renewed momentum is closely tied to the organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of

Scottish mother returns to Edinburgh after daughter’s dog captured, killed in Morocco

A Scottish mother had to leave her home in Morocco and return to Edinburgh, her hometown, after her six-year-old daughter’s dog was brutally captured and killed by the authorities. The mother, Louise Smith, told Edinburgh Live that her daughter’s favorite pet dog, Bingo, was loaded into a van and killed by dog catchers in Marrakech, where she lived with her daughter Salma. The 46-year-old mother, who spent years caring for local dogs as well as her family’s own pets, recalls

International University of Rabat partners with Cisco to transform digital education

The International University of Rabat (UIR) and Cisco International Limited will officially announce a strategic partnership aimed at transforming computer networking and digital technology education on December 4, 2024. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony will take place on the UIR campus, with Cisco Africa's Regional Manager in attendance. The partnership will launch through the Cisco Networking Academy program, an internationally recognized initiative known for its

Ex-executive illegally moves company yacht from Spain to Morocco

A former director of the Anfi del Mar group, Santiago Santana Cazorla, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Las Palmas Provincial Court for embezzlement. He was accused of illegally transferring a company-owned yacht to Morocco and using it for personal purposes as if it were his own property. The events date back to November 2016, a few months after Santana Cazorla resigned as CEO of the group. The former executive appropriated a Rodman 1250 yacht, legally acquired by the company

Morocco's Henna tradition added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list

UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee 2024, meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Tuesday, added henna to the list of 19 new elements requiring urgent safeguarding. «Henna symbolizes the life cycle of an individual, from birth to death, and is present at the major stages of a person's life», states the UNESCO text defending its inclusion as intangible heritage. «Perceived as sacred by communities in Northern Africa and the Middle East, its leaves are harvested

In Saudi Arabia, Macron commends Morocco's water infrastructure

The French president has been on a state visit to Saudi Arabia since Tuesday. On the sidelines of this trip, Emmanuel Macron participated in the «One Water» summit, held on Wednesday, December 3, in Riyadh. In a speech, the head of state praised Morocco's experience with water highways, calling it a «great success». «Morocco has been able to mobilize all technologies and face challenges in rural areas and cities», he commended in front of the conclave

Morocco's Saham acquires control of SGMB and La Marocaine Vie

It's official: Saham Finances has completed the acquisition of 57.67% of the capital of Société Générale Marocaine de Banques (SGMB) and La Marocaine Vie from Société Générale S.A. This transaction, announced on Tuesday, December 3, follows the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The agreement, signed in April 2024, amounts to 745 million euros (approximately 8 billion dirhams). This deal allows the Saham group to take control

Florida State Univesrity, World Bank and ICESCO to co-host education conference in Morocco

Morocco will host a global education conference next summer, co-organized by the Learning Systems Institute (LSI) at Florida State University, the World Bank, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). Titled «Educators Shaping Futures: A Global Conference on Teacher Preparation and Development», the event will take place on June 23-24 in Rabat, Florida State University announced on Tuesday. Spanning two days, the conference will be

Casablanca taxi driver detained for assault on Russian diplomat using ride-hailing app

The investigative judge at the Casablanca Court of Appeals ordered on Monday evening that the driver of a taxi be transferred to Oukacha local prison, while three other drivers are to be held in custody. This decision follows an incident involving a Russian diplomat and his wife, who were physically assaulted while riding in a ride-hailing car booked through the Russian mobile app Yango. The attack began when taxi drivers blocked, last Friday, the path of the ride-hailing car and assaulted its

EBRD president to attend Africa Investment Forum in Morocco

The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso, will visit Morocco from December 4 to 6. During her visit, she will engage with government officials and private sector representatives and participate in the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), according to an EBRD press release issued on Tuesday. At the AIF, Renaud-Basso is scheduled to meet Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, to discuss investment

Hilton plans to double hotel portfolio in Morocco with major expansion

Hotel giant Hilton has announced plans to expand its presence in Morocco, aiming to double its portfolio to 20 hotels in the coming years, according to a company press release. The expansion will see the addition of over 1,300 rooms through nine new hotels across seven of Hilton's global brands. Notable highlights of the expansion include the debut of the Waldorf Astoria brand in Rabat and Morocco's first LXR Hotels & Resorts in Casablanca. Other developments include Curio Collection by