First Independent Mena Newspaper
Morocco’s economy confirmed its recovery momentum in 2025, with gross domestic product growing 4.8% in the first quarter compared to 3% in the same period last year, according to the High Planning Commission (HCP). The strong performance reflects marked progress in non-agricultural sectors and recovery in agricultural activity, driven by sustained growth in domestic demand. […]
Morocco’s National Investment Commission has approved 47 new investment projects totaling 51 billion dirhams ($5.5 billion), in a major push to stimulate economic growth and job creation across the kingdom. The approvals, announced during the 8th session of the Commission, include 36 new agreements and 11 amendments to existing ones. The projects are expected to […]
Morocco’s 2023 budget execution delivered positive results despite complex international and domestic challenges, Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa told Parliament’s Public Finance Control Committee Tuesday while presenting settlement law project 07.25. The global economy showed resilience with inflation declining to 6.6% from 8.6% in 2022, though growth slowed to 3.3% due to persistent crises and escalating […]
Morocco’s Central Bank has decided to maintain the key interest rate unchanged at 2.25 percent due to deceleration in food prices and a slowdown of inflation from 2 % on average in the first quarter of this year to 0.7 % in April and 0.4 % in May. The decision was made by the Bank’s […]
The Moroccan handicraft sector, long rooted in tradition and cultural heritage, is undergoing a significant transformation as it asserts itself as a vital pillar of the national economy, representing 7% of GDP, Lahcen Saadi, Secretary of State in charge of Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy said. The sector now employs over 2.7 million […]
Senegal is facing mounting fiscal challenges as its public debt approaches 80% of GDP, driven by rising borrowing costs, persistent energy subsidies, and the lingering effects of post-COVID recovery spending. The government is under increasing pressure to balance its budget while maintaining critical social and infrastructure investments. According to a recent World Bank report, Senegal’s […]
Italy and the European Union have announced €1.2 billion in new investments across Africa, aimed at boosting infrastructure, digital connectivity, and climate-resilient agriculture, though many question the true motives behind the ambitious investment plan. The deals, co-led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, form part of Meloni’s […]
In a strategic move to reduce global reliance on the U.S. dollar, China has welcomed six new financial institutions from Africa, the Gulf, and Central Asia into its Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS). The expansion, announced during a ceremony in Shanghai, brings direct participation in the yuan-based payment network to 174 institutions, as China steps […]
Algeria is entering a phase of deepening financial isolation following its inclusion on the European Union’s updated list of high-risk countries for money laundering and terrorism financing. While the blacklisting was formalized on June 10, 2025, its consequences are now materializing across Algeria’s already fragile financial system, exposing long-standing structural weaknesses. The EU’s decision, aligned […]
The International Finance Corporation has agreed to provide Maroc Telecom two loans totaling €370 million to enable the Moroccan telecom group support its subsidiaries in Chad and Mali. The IFC funding will help to enhance mobile connectivity and improve the quality of mobile internet. It will also support the rollout of 4G services, bringing faster, […]