First Independent Mena Newspaper
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 […]
The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a $4 million grant from the Livable Planet Fund (LPF) to Morocco to provide additional funding for the Transforming Agri-food Systems Program. The program aims to strengthen Morocco’s agri-food system against climate change while improving food safety and quality, the international financial institution said in a press […]
Morocco secured $1.77 billion in World Bank financing during fiscal year 2025, positioning itself as the institution’s 11th largest recipient overall and eighth largest borrower from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), according to newly released Bretton Woods statistics. The World Bank’s total commitments reached $80.8 billion for the fiscal year ending June […]
Morocco’s external debt eased slightly in 2024 to $67.99 billion, down from a peak of $69.63 billion in 2023, according to the World Bank, which notes the debt was sustainable. In its International Debt Report 2025, the World Bank notes that the decline marks the end of a three-year upward trend and reflects the kingdom’s […]
Mauritania must accelerate economic diversification to achieve its ambition of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2050, the World Bank said in a report published on Nov 24, citing the limits of a development model driven by extractive industries. “The extractive-led growth path is reaching its end,” the Bank said, noting that while Mauritania posted an […]
Morocco and the World Bank maintain a robust strategic partnership dedicated to advancing the kingdom’s development objectives, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) region Ousmane Dione emphasized during a Tuesday conference in Rabat. Speaking at the launch of the MENAAP economic bulletin titled “Jobs and Women: Untapped […]
The World Bank Group supports Morocco in its vision for a new generation of territorial development programs, launched under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, said the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Regional Director for North Africa, Cheick-Oumar Sylla. “Morocco’s vision for a new generation of territorial development programs offers a key opportunity to deepen the […]
Morocco has solidified its position as a regional financial and commercial hub for Africa, with Casablanca Finance City ranking as the continent’s leading financial center, according to a recent World Bank analysis highlighting the nation’s strategic economic transformation. The World Bank report emphasizes Morocco’s decade-long implementation of comprehensive financial market reforms designed to enhance efficiency, […]
Somalia’s government has firmly denied allegations that it entered into a secret agreement with Sweden to accept deported Somali nationals in exchange for redirected development aid. In an official statement, the Office of the Prime Minister rejected claims that Somalia received $9 million in Swedish aid as part of a covert deal. There is “no […]