First Independent Mena Newspaper
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has announced that the majority of his $200 billion fortune will be spent over the next two decades on transforming health and education across Africa. Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Gates called for bold investments in human potential as the key to unlocking prosperity across the continent. […]
Morocco continues its military modernization drive with U.S. Defense Department’s approval for a $260 million acquisition of 612 FGM-148F Javelin anti-tank missiles and 200 portable launchers, reinforcing the kingdom’s defense capabilities amid regional security challenges. The U.S. Department of Defense authorized the transaction on May 31, 2025, following preliminary approval from the Defense Security Cooperation […]
Morocco has officially dismantled the near-monopoly held by le Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI) over electronic payment terminals, marking a major shift in the country’s digital economy and financial sector. The reform, which took effect on May 1, 2025, allows banks, fintech firms, and independent payment providers to directly offer point-of-sale (POS) services to merchants, a […]
The UK has endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan as the most credible basis to resolve the Sahara issue, as it also looks to deepen economic ties with Morocco, building on 800 years of relations. The United Kingdom has opened a “new era” in its ties with Morocco with the recognition of the autonomy plan for the […]
King Mohammed VI has outlined a roadmap for achieving a comprehensive and sustainable development in Africa, based on four key pillars, namely changing the model used for development financing; creating an institutional, economic, and social environment conducive to development; increasing and stimulating intra-African trade; and increasing the value of the continent’s abundant natural resources. These […]
Morocco and the UK have agreed to strengthen cooperation in various development areas at the end of their strategic dialogue, which wrapped up with the support of the UK for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara. In a joint statement issued after the dialogue, attended by foreign secretary David Lammy, the two countries signed a […]
Morocco’s automotive sector, phosphates, agri-food and the aerospace industry exports showed resilience in the face of global economic uncertainties and helped mitigate an expanding trade deficit in the first four months this year. Home to production plants by Stellantis Renault and part suppliers, the automotive sector sold 49 billion dirhams, down 7%, topping all industrial […]
In a decisive stride towards climate resilience, the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced plans to establish a dedicated Carbon Markets Support Facility aimed at galvanizing carbon finance across Africa. Recognising the continent’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change-induced disasters, this pioneering initiative seeks to unlock new streams of investment by formalizing and scaling carbon credit trading. […]
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is set to bolster its fleet with the delivery of two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, scheduled to arrive on May 31 and June 2, respectively, Le360 reported. The order is part of the national carrier’s broader strategy to expand and modernize its operations amid growing demand for air travel. These […]
Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah, who secured a five-year mandate at the helm of the African development Bank, one of the continent’s most influential financial institutions, pledged in his victory speech to “build a stronger, more responsive AfDB” that can better support member countries in tackling urgent challenges such as climate resilience, food security, and youth […]