First Independent Mena Newspaper
Morocco’s central bank detailed in a recent report its efforts to reduce reliance on cash- which has been dominating the economy- and promoting mobile payments to boost financial inclusion. In its 2024 annual report on financial market infrastructure and payment systems, Bank Al-Maghrib outlined regulatory and operational measures aimed to address entrenched habits relying on […]
Namibia has officially launched its National Energy Compact, marking its formal entry into Mission 300, a continental initiative aimed at expanding electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa, officials announced on Thursday, 18 December. The compact was unveiled in Windhoek on Thursday by the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, positioning Namibia as a strategic […]
The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a $4 million grant from the Livable Planet Fund (LPF) to Morocco to provide additional funding for the Transforming Agri-food Systems Program. The program aims to strengthen Morocco’s agri-food system against climate change while improving food safety and quality, the international financial institution said in a press […]
The WIKA Group, a global leader in pressure and temperature measurement, has opened a new subsidiary in Casablanca, Morocco, to support its existing customers across the Maghreb region. “The opening of the subsidiary in Morocco marks an important milestone in our regional growth strategy,” says Marcel Frei, Senior Vice President South Europe at WIKA. “Our […]
The consortium composed of Moroccan construction companies SGTM and TGCC has won the $1 billion contract to build a new terminal at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, according to press reports. The new terminal, to be built over 600,000 m², is expected to boost the airport’s capacity to over 30 million passengers annually, becoming […]
The total value of projects funded by Bayt Mal Al-Qods Acharif Agency in 2025 reached eight million dollars, Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, the Agency’s Managing Director, said, emphasizing that Morocco remains the Agency’s sole funder. Cherkaoui, who was presenting this week in Rabat the Agency’s 2025 activity report and its 2026 action plan, said that the […]
Morocco’s consumer price index registered negative 0.3 percent year-over-year deflation in November, driven primarily by falling food prices, according to High Commission for Planning data. This development reflects food product index decline of 1.2 percent offset partially by non-food product increases of 0.4 percent. Non-food product variations ranged from 1.5 percent decreases in transportation to […]
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), on Thursday, 18 December 2025, announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based AMEA Power and Japan’s Kyuden International Corporation to develop a 1,000-megawatt solar power plant integrated with a 600MWh battery energy storage system in Aswan, southern Egypt. The $571.8 million financing package, led by IFC with support from international partners, […]
The United Kingdom has launched a comprehensive new approach to African engagement, pivoting from traditional aid frameworks toward investment-driven partnerships emphasizing trade, climate action, and long-term collaboration. Baroness Chapman of Darlington, UK Minister for Development and Africa, unveiled the policy this week in London before African ambassadors, high commissioners, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, and private […]
Morocco’s government has mobilized 121,000 hectares of state-owned agricultural land for 1,700 projects representing 24 billion dirhams in global investment and creating approximately 69,000 jobs. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced strengthened mechanisms supporting development and employment in rural and mountainous zones throughout the kingdom. Responding to parliamentary questions regarding policy toward very small and small […]