First Independent Mena Newspaper
Morocco is implementing a comprehensive pharmaceutical policy overhaul through its 2026 Finance Bill, targeting dramatic reductions in medication costs while strengthening health security and domestic manufacturing capacity. The reform centers on unprecedented customs duty cuts, affecting 112 pharmaceutical products. Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa had announced, during the presentation of the detailed draft budget of the […]
The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) has granted final practice permits to 91 companies and foreign exchange bureaux, as the Libyan dinar fell to 8.17 against the US dollar on the black market, amid ongoing cash shortages. The decision was announced on Tuesday, December 9. The CBL said the latest licensing forms part of its […]
Mauritania hosted, Dec.8-9, its National Insurance Conference in Nouakchott, aimed at modernizing a sector that currently contributes only 0.33% of GDP, far below the African average of 2%. The conference, organized by the Central Bank of Mauritania (BCM) following the adoption of new legislation in September 2025, brought together hundreds of insurance professionals, experts, investors, […]
Morocco’s ambitious push to meet 60 percent of its water needs through desalination by 2030 has sparked a critical drive toward industrial self-sufficiency in this vital sector. As the country battles its seventh consecutive year of drought, developing domestic expertise has become essential for adapting solutions to local conditions and reducing long-term costs. The kingdom […]
Foreign investors concentrated their activities in Morocco’s equity market across four primary sectors representing 66 percent of total trading volumes in 2024, according to the Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC). The banking sector led foreign investment activity with 31.2 percent of traded volumes, followed by the building materials and construction sector at 13.3 percent. Distribution […]
Moroccan household purchasing power improved 5.1 points in 2024 compared to 1.8 points in 2023, according to the High Commission for Planning. The enhancement follows consumer price index evolution of just 0.9 percent reached in 2024, significantly below previous years. Household gross disposable income recorded 6.7 percent growth to reach 1,059.7 billion dirhams in 2024, […]
Airbus announced Monday it has finalized the acquisition of several manufacturing sites from its American supplier Spirit AeroSystems, including the company’s Casablanca facility. The finalization marks a significant expansion of the European plane maker’s control over its commercial aircraft production chain. The transaction brings more than 4,000 employees under Airbus’ wing, according to Florent Massou, […]
Morocco’s external debt eased slightly in 2024 to $67.99 billion, down from a peak of $69.63 billion in 2023, according to the World Bank, which notes the debt was sustainable. In its International Debt Report 2025, the World Bank notes that the decline marks the end of a three-year upward trend and reflects the kingdom’s […]
Morocco’s parliament validated the 2026 Finance Bill on Friday, December 5, just 47 days after government submission on October 20. The Chamber of Representatives approved the legislation in second reading following Thursday’s green light from the Chamber of Advisors, completing an expedited budget marathon. The rapid adoption enables the current governing majority to implement major […]
Moroccan OCP Group and UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have joined forces to advance agricultural transformation, low-carbon industrial development, digital innovation and skills development across Africa and globally. The two partners have signed a 5-year renewable agreement to establish strategic cooperation in plant nutrition and inclusive and sustainable industrial development. They pledged to strengthen integrated […]