First Independent Mena Newspaper
Morocco’s trade deficit widened 20.8% year-on-year to 160 billion dirhams ($17 billion) in the first five months of 2026 as rising imports outpaced export growth, but robust remittances from Moroccans living abroad and higher tourism receipts helped offset pressure on the country’s external accounts. Imports rose 11.8%, compared with export growth of 5.8% to 211 […]
Morocco’s National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) has secured more than €580 million in international financing for its “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy, with some €175 million — approximately 40 percent of total commitments, equivalent to 1.9 billion dirhams — already disbursed. The figures were disclosed at a high-level review meeting in Rabat on […]
Morocco has taken a significant step toward ending the fiscal free-riding of global digital multinationals on its market. On 11 June 2026, the Direction générale des impôts (DGI) launched a dedicated platform for the taxation of digital services, accessible through the SIMPL tax portal. The measure follows the publication of decree no. 2-25-862 in December […]
Morocco has rapidly equipped millions of citizens with digital wallets but is struggling to convert infrastructure into daily payment behavior. According to an analysis by Aurora Strategy Consulting, the country counted 13.8 million open wallets at end-2024 and approximately 3.8 million active ones — an activity rate of 18 percent and an adult equipment rate […]
Bayern Munich has confirmed the signing of Morocco’s World Cup standout Ismael Saibari from Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven in a major $ 63 million summer deal. The 25-year-old forward, who is currently enjoying a sensational, ongoing standout campaign at the World Cup, joins the German giants on a long-term contract that runs until June 2031. […]
Morocco’s Royal Navy frigate Mohammed VI has arrived in New York after completing a transatlantic crossing to participate in major maritime events linked to the United States’ 250th anniversary commemorations, highlighting long-standing military and diplomatic ties between Rabat and Washington, Moroccan media reported. The frigate, the flagship of the Royal Moroccan Navy, is expected to […]
Morocco and South Korea have stepped up negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with officials aiming to reach a preliminary understanding by August and conclude the pact before the end of the year, minister in charge of trade said. The proposed agreement would go beyond traditional tariff reductions to cover investment, industrial production […]
The largest floating photovoltaic plant in Africa has started operating in Morocco. The 13 MW floating PV plant uses flexible anchoring and flotation systems to remain stable across wide seasonal variations. Installed on the Oued Rmel Dam reservoir, near Ksar Sghir, in northern Morocco, close to the Tanger Med port complex, the facility is designed […]
Morocco’s textile and leather exports fell 9.1% by end-May 2026, according to data from the Office des Changes, with ready-made garments down 8.2% and knitwear declining 11.8%. The sector has failed to recover since a first quarter was already marked by falling exports, but analysts say that weather and logistics disruptions no longer account for […]
France’s new ambassador to Morocco Philippe Lalliot has started his diplomatic mission in the Kingdom with a trip to Laayoune, capital of Moroccan Sahara, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Christophe Lecourtier who travelled in 2024 to the cities of Dakhla and Laayoune. The visits of the two ambassadors to Morocco’s Southern provinces show […]