First Independent Mena Newspaper
Casablanca ranked as Africa’s leading financial center in the latest Global Financial Center Index (GFCI 39), underscoring its growing prominence on the continent. The index, published in March 2026 by consultancy Z/Yen Group in partnership with the China Development Institute, ranked Casablanca 49th out of 120 financial centers worldwide. It placed ahead of other African […]
Standard and Poor’s agency has affirmed Morocco’s long- and short-term sovereign credit ratings at ‘BBB-/A-3’ with stable outlook despite uncertainties over the Middle East war and its impact on commodity prices, supply chains, economies, and credit conditions. Morocco has solid buffers that will help it navigate current headwinds, including potential adverse economic impacts and related […]
Saudi Arabia’s football federation has opened talks with several coaching candidates, including former Morocco head coach Walid Regragui, as it considers changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Saudi media reported. Saudi Sports Channel said negotiations with Regragui were at an advanced stage, estimating progress at around 80%, without citing official confirmation from either party. […]
Morocco U17 national football team have defeated Tunisia (2-0), Algeria (3-0) and Egypt (2-1) to secure their 5th North Africa Championship title before their final match against Libya next Sunday. The Atlas Cubs have dominated ongoing the North Africa Tournament qualifiers for U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026. The tournament is taking place in Benghazi, […]
Morocco’s economy expanded at a rate of 4.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025, a marginal deceleration from the 4.2% recorded during the same period in 2024, according to the latest national accounts data published by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). The slowdown was primarily driven by a softening in non-agricultural activities, even as […]
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Revolutionary Democratic Front on Monday, March 30, rejected the unilateral move leading to the reactivation of the Empowerment Removal Committee, arguing that the decision lacked consensus within the “Somoud” coalition. Led by Yasir Arman, the group stressed that national priorities should centre on addressing Sudan’s worsening humanitarian crisis and protecting civilians, […]
Morocco has entered a new chapter in the management of its collective lands with the adoption of a Decree, published in Official gazette. The regulation introduces a comprehensive set of governance mechanisms designed to bring greater transparency, traceability, and accountability to the administration of lands held by Soulaliyate communities. Historically, these collective lands — estimated […]
At least 74 people were killed after unidentified gunmen attacked a gold mining site at Jebel Iraq, on the outskirts of the capital, over the week-end. Police confirmed the incident on Monday, March 30, indicating that several others were injured while some victims fled into nearby bushes as the violence unfolded. Authorities say the attack […]
King Mohammed VI was represented at the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, held Monday in Bangui, by Lower House Speaker Rachid Talbi El Alami. During the ceremony, attended by heads of State and foreign delegations, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Bangui and other public figures, Touadéra […]
Morocco and Kenya are studying the conclusion of a defense cooperation agreement as part of the promotion of exchanges between the two countries’ armies. The project was discussed this Monday in Rabat at a meeting between Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the South Zone, Mohammed Berrid, and Kenya’s Chief of […]