Renewable Energy Morocco to invest $3bn in power projects over five years Morocco is planning to invest more than MAD27 billion ($2.7 billion) into power projects in the next five years to expand its electricity network and increase the share of renewable energy, an official has said. The development plan, starting this year, covers conventional electricity, renewable sources and hydrogen projects, said Tarik Hammane, director general of the […] January 31, 2025
Analysis Food & Drink Middle Eastern coffee market expected to hit $11bn The price of your half-caff, soya milk, extra hot with a pump of vanilla and a sprinkle of cinnamon is likely to go up this year, as the cost of coffee is set to increase by as much as one fifth. The Middle Eastern coffee market alone is projected to reach $11.5 billion in 2025, […] January 26, 2025
Infrastructure Morocco to invest $9.5bn in rail network projects Morocco is planning to invest nearly 96 billion Moroccan dirhams ($9.5 billion) in projects to expand its rail network in the next five years, the transport and logistics minister was reported on Thursday as saying. Abdul Samad Qayuh told parliament on Tuesday that 53 billion dirhams would be spent on the planned high-speed rail project and […] January 24, 2025
Aviation $4bn expansion planned for Morocco airports Morocco will invest MAD42 billion ($4.1 billion) in airport expansion by 2030, the country’s transport and logistics minister has said. The investment aligns with the strategy to strengthen the country’s airports as a global gateway, Morocco World News reported citing Abdessamad Kayouh. The investments intend to modernise major airports, including Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakesh, Fez, […] January 24, 2025
Construction German company to assess proposed Spain-Morocco tunnel A German-owned company has been awarded a contract to conduct a feasibility study on building an undersea railway tunnel between Morocco and Spain, the latest indication that the long-stalled plan could become reality. If built, the tunnel would be one of the longest of its kind worldwide and would make transporting goods and people between […] January 22, 2025
Economy Geopolitical tensions and low rain may stifle Morocco’s GDP growth Morocco’s economy is expected to pick up in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to increased consumer spending, but the momentum faces a risk as a result of geopolitical tensions and low levels of rainfall, a government agency has said. The country’s GDP grew by around 4.3 percent in the third quarter of 2024 compared […] January 16, 2025
Finance Morocco’s economy expands 4.3% in Q3 as inflation eases Morocco’s economy expanded by 4.3 percent in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 3 percent a year earlier. The growth was primarily driven by increased domestic demand and easing inflation, Morocco World News reported, citing data from the High Commission for Planning. Non-agricultural sectors led the upturn, growing 5.1 percent despite agricultural activity contracting […] January 2, 2025
Analysis Agriculture Why rain is critical for Morocco’s economy Analysts hope that heavy rainfall in the south of Morocco this autumn will refill aquifers across the country that have been depleted by six years of intense drought, and improve crop yields for 2025. The country’s agriculture sector is a major employer, and accounts for 12 percent of Morocco’s GDP, but it is volatile. The World Bank is cautiously predicting […] December 24, 2024
Renewable Energy Water scarcity biggest threat to North Africa’s green energy drive Water scarcity is the biggest hurdle to the development of renewable power across North Africa, along with a lack of financing and governance failures, a new report says. Nevertheless, countries in the region are boosting production of sustainable sources of energy, pushed by unmet domestic demand and the European Union’s increasing hunger for imports of […] December 17, 2024
Tourism Morocco aims for 80m airport capacity by 2030 Morocco aims to double its passenger capacity from 38 million to nearly 80 million by 2030 in a major expansion of the country’s airports. The move is part of a significant tourism drive as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 Fifa World Cup, along with with Spain and Portugal, Morocco World News reported, quoting the […] December 17, 2024
Sustainability Morocco partners with central African nations on EV plan Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia have joined together to develop the infrastructure needed for electric vehicles (EVs), as they strive to lower their dependence on fossil fuels. The three nations will club their resources and experiences to support the development of EV batteries and battery precursors. Developing carbon-free transportation is essential […] December 12, 2024
Tourism Morocco reports 20% rise in tourists this year Morocco has reported a 20 percent year-on-year increase in tourists through to the end of November, welcoming close to 16 million visitors. Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Morocco’s minister of tourism, described the numbers as an “historic achievement”. “This achievement isn’t just a number, it’s a testament to the success of our roadmap and confirms we’re on track […] December 11, 2024
Infrastructure Morocco’s rail project secures $14bn funding Morocco’s mega railway expansion plan has attracted more than $14 billion (MAD139.8 billion) in investments from global investors, surpassing its initial funding goal of $8.8 billion, according to media reports. The project, led by the state-run National Railways Office (ONCF), has attracted significant attention due to its strategic importance, local media said citing Akinwumi Adesina, […] December 9, 2024
Economy Morocco gets $200m loan from EU for quake recovery The European Union (EU) will provide a €190 million ($200 million) loan for reconstructing and rehabilitating earthquake-hit areas in Morocco. The funding will prioritise rebuilding homes, restoring essential public services such as healthcare and education, and reviving local economies, Morocco World News reported. The earthquake, which struck in September 2023, was the strongest in Morocco’s […] November 26, 2024
Finance Morocco secures $211m loan to improve water security The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a €200 million ($211 million) loan to Morocco’s phosphate-based fertiliser producer OCP Group to enhance water security by developing new desalination facilities. The funding will support the construction of two seawater desalination facilities for OCP Group at its industrial complexes in El Jadida and Safi. […] November 18, 2024
Logistics Morocco’s Tanger Med port in $400m new funding Morocco’s Tanger Med port complex has secured more than $400 million of funding for the expansion of its truck and passenger terminal. International Finance Corporation (IFC) and a collection of international banks will fund the expansion of the port’s truck capacity to more than 1 million a year. The Tanger Med complex, which has direct […] November 8, 2024
Analysis Trade Macron’s Morocco trip the catalyst for $11bn in deals France and Morocco have announced a series of deals, from railways to phosphates to renewables, worth up to $11 billion during a state visit last week by Emmanuel Macron, his first to the north African kingdom since becoming president in 2017. The 22 deals followed French recognition of Morocco’s claims to the disputed Western Sahara […] November 6, 2024
Industry Morocco plans to increase its military spending in budget Morocco is planning to increase its military spending by 6 percent next year, as it looks to improve national security and modernise its local capabilities. The defence budget in Morocco’s 2025 Finance Law will be MAD133 billion ($13.4 billion), an increase on the MAD124 billion in the current year’s budget. The Minister of Economy and […] October 23, 2024
Analysis Trade Morocco-EU trade in turmoil after court ruling It has been a difficult week for Morocco and its partnership with the European Union. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled last week that fishing and farming deals between the two parties struck in 2019 are now invalid. The agreements faltered over the thorny – and sensitive – issue of the Western Sahara, which […] October 11, 2024
Manufacturing Tata signs deal with Morocco to build armoured vehicles Morocco’s Department of Defence and India’s Tata Group have signed an agreement to build armoured combat vehicles in the North African country. Under the agreement, Tata Advanced Systems, a subsidiary of the Indian conglomerate, will produce Tata’s WhAP 8×8 wheeled amphibious armoured platform in Morocco. The project is expected to create 90 direct jobs and […] October 1, 2024
Economy Morocco’s economy slowed by agricultural slump Morocco’s economic growth is projected to slow to 2.8 percent in 2024 due to a 7 percent contraction in the agricultural sector, the country’s central bank has said. GDP growth will rebound to 4.4 percent in 2025 as the agricultural sector is expected to grow 8.6 percent, assuming an average cereal production of 55 million […] September 26, 2024
Tourism Morocco on course for record-breaking tourism year Morocco is on track to break its record for international visitors after reporting a 13 percent increase in the first seven months of the year. Overnight stays in the North African country passed 15.35 million from January through to July, which was up 8 percent year on year. International tourism accounted for 10.9 million of […] September 24, 2024
