First Independent Mena Newspaper
Morocco’s hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is setting a new commercial benchmark for African football, with the Confederation of African Football calling it the most lucrative edition in the tournament’s history. CAF said in a statement it has secured 23 sponsors for the event, more than double the nine partners it landed […]
The French Development Agency (AFD) is committed to implementing the commitments made during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco in October 2024, notably development projects in the Kingdom’s Southern Provinces, the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Rémy Rioux, said on Thursday in Rabat. Speaking at a press briefing following talks with the Minister […]
Egypt has received €1 billion in concessional development financing from the European Union, marking the first tranche of the second phase of the EU’s macro-financial assistance (MFA), announced on Thursday by Minister of International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat. The disbursement follows the implementation of 16 economic and structural reforms aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability, improving public […]
Morocco’s decision to suspend frozen sardine exports to the European Union while maintaining Russian fleet access to its waters has triggered significant anger in Spain. Spanish industrial and maritime sectors are expressing mounting frustration over the policy, which they view as severely damaging to Spain’s canning industry, particularly in Galicia, a region heavily dependent on […]
Regulatory reforms implemented in Morocco to promote private sector activity—described as “deeper than expected”—could stimulate growth, reduce the informal economy, and create employment, according to the World Bank Group’s updated Global Economic Prospects report released in Washington. The international financial institution notes that favorable weather conditions contributed to agricultural production recovery in the Kingdom. Current […]
The World Bank forecasts economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa region will reach 3.6% in 2026 before accelerating to 3.9% in 2027. These estimates, featured in the updated Global Economic Prospects report, were slightly revised downward compared to the institution’s June projections. The downward revision primarily reflects larger-than-expected oil production increases from […]
Bilateral trade between Morocco and the United Kingdom has experienced remarkable growth since the Association Agreement’s 2021 implementation, confirming the post-Brexit partnership’s success. During a recent parliamentary session, UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant delivered figures demonstrating what he termed a genuine “surge” in economic relations between the two kingdoms. Official British government data reveals bilateral […]
Diesel and gasoline imports totaled 1.91 million tons valued at 12.73 billion dirhams during the third quarter of 2025, according to Competition Council reporting. Compared to Q3 2024, imported volumes increased 12.4% from 1.7 million tons, while value registered a slight 1.3% decline from 12.9 billion dirhams. Diesel continued dominating these flows, representing 88% of […]
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Tuesday launched the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for South Sudan, warning that more than 10 million people may require assistance this year. The one-billion-dollar plan prioritizes around four million people facing the most acute risks, amid escalating violence, economic decline and the […]
Morocco’s economy is projected to grow 4.2% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to forecasts published January 13 by the High Commission for Planning. Despite an international environment marked by weakening external demand and tightening European regulatory constraints, the national economy demonstrates resilience, driven primarily […]