First Independent Mena Newspaper
The Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), chaired by Secretary General Noureddine Taboubi, has announced plans to hold a workers’ rally and march on Thursday, 21 August. Union officials say the action aims to defend union rights in response to stalled negotiations, the cancellation of social dialogue, and what they describe as attacks on union headquarters. […]
Africa’s long-fragmented cross-border payment systems may be on the cusp of transformation, driven by emerging alternatives to Western-dominated networks like SWIFT. The launch of BRICS Pay — a decentralized platform aiming to settle transactions in local currencies — signals a broader push to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and challenge the geopolitical sway it […]
The three-day visit paid lately by India Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tamal to the Casablanca port underlines the growing strategic and defense cooperation between India and Morocco. INS Tamal is the third Indian Naval Ship in the last two years to visit Casablanca. During the port call, the crew of INS Tamal participated in a […]
Morocco’s automotive market experienced robust growth in July 2025, with new vehicle sales climbing 38.6% year-over-year to nearly 20,000 units, according to the Association of Vehicle Importers in Morocco (AIVAM). The impressive performance was driven by strong rebounds across both passenger vehicles (VP) and light commercial vehicles (VUL). Passenger car sales jumped 39.4%, while commercial […]
Morocco’s Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration has unveiled comprehensive regulations governing defense materials, weapons, and ammunition trade, establishing strict frameworks while facilitating essential commercial flows for the national defense industry. The new circular, based on Law 10-20 of 2020, creates three distinct material categories with specific regulatory requirements. Category A covers exclusively military equipment including […]
Lower-income countries are paying private creditors nearly three times more than they repay China, according to new research by UK-based advocacy group Debt Justice, challenging dominant narratives around global debt. Between 2020 and 2025, 39% of the $354 billion in external debt repayments from 88 low-income countries and small island states will go to private […]
Morocco continues to attract international movie-makers and producers for shooting their blockbusters which enable the country to boost its tourism and enhance the Nation branding. According to press reports, “Captain India” is starring actor Kartik Aaryan and directed by Shimit Amin. The movie is scheduled to begin filming in India and Morocco in March 2026, […]
Morocco’s tax revenues rose by 19.1% in the first half of 2025, reaching 186.34 billion dirhams (MMDH), driven primarily by corporate income tax (IS) receipts, which soared 34.7% to 55.98 MMDH. This increase is largely attributed to payments linked to the 2024 fiscal year, the reference year for provisional installments. The rise comes despite a […]
Two Moroccan fintech startups, Woliz and Hsabati, have been selected for the fourth Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program launched by the American giant in digital payments to help startups fast-track their growth and impact. Woliz is a fintech ecosystem transforming nano-stores into digital hubs with loyalty rewards, payments, and AI-driven operations. Hsabati is a platform […]
South African Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has sharply criticized the 30% tariffs imposed by the U.S. on South African exports, calling them a symptom of a “declining empire” lashing out in desperation. “The danger with the US imposing the 30% tariffs is that it is the kicking of a declining empire,” Mantashe told industry […]