Morocco's Arrabet and Skaleet partner for a new neo-bank offering in Africa  (Read more...)

Morocco climbs to 13th in FIFA World Ranking

Morocco has moved up one place to claim the 13th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking, released on Thursday. With 1681.57 points, the Atlas Lions continue to hold the top position in Africa, ahead of Senegal, which ranks 20th with 1627.13 points. Morocco also maintains its first-place position at the Arab level, surpassing Egypt, which is ranked 30th with 1526.25 points. Globally, Argentina remains at the top of the FIFA ranking, followed by France and Spain. Top 10 FIFA Ranking as of

Royal Air Maroc expects to reach 7.5 million passengers by end of 2024

The report on public institutions and enterprises, published alongside the 2025 draft finance law, reveals that Royal Air Maroc is expected to close 2024 with 7.5 million passengers. According to the report, available on the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s website, the airline anticipates a turnover of 19.86 billion dirhams for 2024, reflecting a 4.5% increase in air traffic compared to 2023, with passenger numbers projected to reach 7.5 million. The report also noted that in the

Green energy : US company under pressure to leave the Sahara

«US company GE Vernova is seemingly gambling with its lucrative projects elsewhere when it operates in the occupied territory for the Moroccan government». This is the accusation leveled by the Western Sahara Resource Watch (WRSW), an NGO closely aligned with the Polisario Front, against the General Electric subsidiary. The accusation came immediately after Africa Intelligence published an article detailing the standoff between the two parties. This is the latest in a series of

Moroccan-French archaeological mission wins Inrap award

A Moroccan-French archaeological mission has been awarded the «Inrap - RAN Prize for the Preservation by Study of Mediterranean Archaeological Heritage» on October 19 in Narbonne, France. The award recognizes their work on medieval Almohad sites in Morocco, including Igiliz, Tit, and Tinmal. According to a press release from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), the award was presented to the scientific and technical leaders of the mission during

Antonio Guterres welcomes Morocco's compliance with the ceasefire

In his report on the situation in the Sahara, the UN Secretary-General welcomed the Royal Armed Forces' (FAR) compliance with the ceasefire signed in 1991. Guterres noted that in February 2024, the Special Representative and Force Commander of MINURSO proposed a cessation of hostilities during the holy month of Ramadan, emphasizing that «the FAR responded on February 26 by reiterating their commitment to the agreements reached» in 1991, «but stressed their right to respond to

Three Moroccans compete at FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia

Morocco is taking part in the FIA Motorsport Games, a biennial motorsport event administered by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The competition is taking place from October 23 to 27 in Valencia, Spain, reads a press release by the Royal Moroccan Motor Sports Federation. The games will see the participation of nearly 100 countries for its 3rd edition. Competitors will compete in 26 disciplines, including karting, rallying, cross-country, drifting, slalom, and

South Africa opposes Moroccan membership of BRICS group

As the new BRICS summit kicked off yesterday in Kazan, Russia, South Africa is actively opposing Morocco's bid to join the group. South African officials have been vocal about their plans in the international press. In comments to the U.S. news agency Bloomberg, they stated that «any attempt to dilute South Africa’s influence by inviting Nigeria or Morocco into BRICS will be met with resistance». Russian media have also reported Pretoria's warnings to its allies, with

Morocco's Water and Forests agency boosts anti-poaching measures to safeguard wildlife

The National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) has intensified its efforts to combat poaching throughout Morocco, as stated in an official press release dated October 22, 2024. Between September 20 and October 20, 2024, ANEF recorded 52 reports covering 70 hunting and wildlife-related offenses in provinces such as Essaouira, Taroudante, Nador, and Larache. According to the ANEF Director General, fighting poaching is an absolute priority for the agency this season. The press release

Morocco introduces first diploma for football injuries and illnesses

The Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS), through its Health and Sport Pole, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) have launched the first University Diploma in football-related injuries and illnesses in Morocco. The first module started on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, and will run over three days, reads a press release by the Foundation. Headed by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health, the diploma aims to train specialized health professionals capable of

Morocco's railways office ONCF plans to invest nearly 9.8 billion dirhams between 2025 and 2027

The Moroccan National Railways Office (ONCF) has announced a 9.78 billion dirhams investment program for 2025-2027, according to the Public Establishments and Enterprises (EEP) report in the draft finance law. The funds will primarily be directed toward acquiring new trains, building maintenance facilities, and maintaining rail infrastructure, with annual allocations of 2.97 billion dirhams in 2025, 3.64 billion dirhams in 2026, and 3.17 billion dirhams in 2027. Notably, this plan excludes a

Nokia launches first innovation center in Africa and the Middle East in Salé

Ghita Mezzour, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, inaugurated Nokia's first innovation center in Africa and the Middle East in Salé on Tuesday. The event was attended by the Finnish Ambassador to Morocco, Marjaana Sall, and the US Ambassador, Puneet Talwar, along with other public and private sector representatives. According to a press release from the Ministry, this innovation center features cutting-edge technology,

Ahmed Lahlimi passes the torch to Chakib Benmoussa at HCP

The handover ceremony between Chakib Benmoussa, newly appointed as the High Commissioner for Planning by King Mohammed VI, and his predecessor Ahmed Lahlimi Alami took place in Rabat on Tuesday, in the presence of senior management from the High Commission for Planning (HCP). Benmoussa expressed his gratitude for the trust the Sovereign placed in him and acknowledged the significant responsibilities that come with the role. He commended Ahmed Lahlimi for his leadership, particularly in

French citizen arrested in Casablanca for international drug smuggling allegations

A French citizen of Guinean origin, who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by the French judiciary, has been arrested by security authorities at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca. #التعاون_الأمني_الدوليالدار البيضاء.. توقيف مواطن فرنسي من أصول غينية، مبحوث عنه بموجب أمر دولي بإلقاء القبض صادر في حقه من طرف السلطات القضائية الفرنسية،

Morocco’s Royal Navy rescues 38 migrants off Dakhla coast

Morocco’s Royal Navy intercepted a pirogue 170km southwest of Dakhla on Tuesday, carrying 38 sub-Saharan migrants, including a woman and a minor. The boat had departed from the Mauritanian coast on October 14, headed for the Canary Islands, according to a press release from the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. The rescued migrants were safely brought to the port of Dakhla, where they were handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for the necessary administrative procedures after

Ecuador withdraws SADR recognition

Ecuador has withdrawn recognition of the «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)». This decision was communicated by Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld on Tuesday, October 22, in a telephone call to her Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, according to MAP. The suspension was anticipated, especially after the defeat of left-wing candidate Luisa Gonzalez in the October 15, 2023, elections. The victory of right-wing businessman Daniel Noboa, a 35-year-old from a banana-farming

Macron to speak at Moroccan parliament during upcoming visit

Emmanuel Macron will address both Houses of Parliament on October 29, Africa Intelligence reported on Tuesday. The current French president will thus receive the same treatment as his predecessors: Jacques Chirac, on October 11, 2003, Nicolas Sarkozy, on October 22, 2007, and François Hollande, on April 4, 2013. These speeches, delivered to MPs, came at a time when Morocco-France relations were enjoying an upswing. Macron's speech is also in keeping with this trend, particularly

Morocco : IMF forecasts 2.8% growth this year, 3.6% in 2025

Morocco is expected to register growth of 2.8% this year and 3.6% in 2025, according to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published Tuesday. In an update of its «World Economic Outlook», the financial institution forecasts inflation of 1.7% in 2024 and 2.3% the following year. Unemployment is projected to rise to 13.4% in 2024, before dropping to 12.6% in 2025, according to the forecasts released during the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington. The IMF

Canary Islands President backs Spanish government on Sahara stance

The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, denied any change in the Canarian government's position on the Sahara issue. He emphasized that the Canary Islands government does not have authority over foreign policy and thus adheres to decisions made by the Spanish government in this regard. His statement was made in response to criticism from NC-BC spokesperson Luis Campos, who accused Clavijo of betrayal after he expressed support for the Spanish government's policy on the Sahara