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Morocco

November 21, 2024

Medina De Rabat 8:47 pm

15°C

An aerial view of the solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power plant, some 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) outside the town of Ouarzazate, central Morocco, Feb. 4, 2016.

Five global firms shortlisted in Morocco's controversial Western Sahara energy plans

Construction on the multibillion-dollar energy project, based in Dakhla in the disputed territory, is scheduled for completion in 2029.

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron embark on an aircraft at the airport of Sale, north of Rabat, on Oct. 30, 2024.

Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

The latest trip of French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat was the last straw in the already shaky relations between Paris and Algiers.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A man walks in a street covered in mud in a flooded area in Picanya, near Valencia, eastern Spain, on Oct. 30, 2024.

As floods ravage Spain, Morocco utilizes disaster diplomacy, offers help

Relations between Morocco and Spain are warming after years of tensions, and a railway linkage project is gaining momentum.

A flare stack burns excess emissions at the Algiers refinery complex in the Algerian capital's southeastern suburb of Baraki, on Feb. 24, 2022.

Middle East businesses lack clear climate guidelines, WEF report warns

Middle Eastern and North African companies face increasing pressure from investors, regulators and global markets to strengthen transparency and adopt more sustainable business models.

Latest News

France, Morocco ink over $10B in deals during Macron visit

Morocco's King Mohammed VI (C-R) and France's President Emmanuel Macron (C-L).

Analysis

In Morocco, France's Macron dangles Western Sahara concessions to mend ties

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Morocco's King Mohammed VI

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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Analysis

What's behind China's deepening engagement with Morocco?

A high-speed Al-Boraq train at Casablanca Casa Voyageurs train station on March 15, 2019.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

At Africa summit, China elevates ties with Libya, invests $14M in Egypt

China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang (C) delivers his speech.

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

The UAE's CEPA program continues to break new ground in Africa as we conclude the terms of a deal with Morocco.

Analysis

How Morocco-UAE economic agreement could usher in new era of bilateral trade

With its CEPA program, Abu Dhabi is not only expanding its network of trade and investment partners; it is getting closer to achieving its strategic goal of increasing its non-oil foreign trade.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Visitors view a Bayraktar TB3 Armed Unmanned Aerial System on display at the UMEX Exhibition showcasing drones, robotics, and unmanned sytems at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi on January 23, 2024. (Photo by Ryan LIM / AFP) (Photo by RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco turns to Turkey for weapons imports as Israel ties strain over Gaza

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Supporters hold a poster depicting Malis interim leader and head of Junta, Colonel Assimi Goïta (L) and Guinea Interim leader and head of Junta, Mamady Doumbouya (R), in Bamako, Mali, on September 22, 2022 during Mali's Independence Day military parade. (Photo by OUSMANE MAKAVELI / AFP) (Photo by OUSMANE MAKAVELI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Mali’s junta pokes at Algeria, what’s at stake for North Africa and Sahel?

Three years after severing its ties with Morocco, Algeria faces challenges in its relations with Mali and other Sahel countries.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) escorts King Mohammed VI of Morocco (C) and Crown Prince of Morocco, Moulay Hassan as they leave the Elysee palace on December 12, 2017 in Paris, following a lunch hosted by the French President as part of the One Planet Summit. The French President hosts 50 world leaders for the "One Planet Summit", hoping to jump-start the transition to a greener economy two years after the historic Paris agreement to limit climate change. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN

Analysis

Can France restore Morocco ties without shifting on Western Sahara?

On a visit to Rabat, French Foreign minister Stephane Sejourne acknowledged for the first time the importance of the Western Sahara issue for Moroccan diplomacy, but did not commit to any movement by Paris on the issue.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch (R) meets with his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez (L), in Rabat, on Feb. 2, 2023.

Morocco-Spain thaw continues with investment pledge, aerospace deal

Spain and Morocco have historically been at odds over Western Sahara, migration and territorial disputes.

(L-R) Bloomberg Television's journalist Francine Lacqua, Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan, President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde, Co-chairman of the private equity firm of The Carlyle Group David Rubenstein, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attend a session on the closing day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 19,

Analysis

From Davos, all roads lead to the Middle East

At the World Economic Forum, Al-Monitor interviewed regional decision-makers on economics, energy, environment, governance and conflict across the region.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Newly elected President of the Sixth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 6), Morocco's Minister for Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali (L) adresses delegates at the 50th anniversary of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) in Nairobi on March 3, 2022 - The world has a "historic" opportunity to address plastic pollution by starting discussions in early March on a treaty to regulate this phenomenon that chokes biodiversity, according to the Executive Director of the UNEP, Inger Andersen (Photo

Davos 2024: Green ammonia expansion integral to Morocco’s new hydrogen economy, minister says

Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali told Al-Monitor in an interview that the COP28 declaration marked the first time an emergence of more inclusive messaging has been seen in official climate text.

In this picture taken on April 2, 2023, a vendor arranges dates at his shop in Rabat, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Unemployment will be true test of Morocco's government policies

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

TABA, EGYPT: Beach resorts close to the Egyptian Taba Hilton (background-R) remain empty 11 October 2004, four days after three attacks targeted this well-known hotel in the Sinai peninsula next to the Israeli border and another two minor resorts, killing at least 32 people and causing the exodus of thousands of Israeli tourists from the area called the Egyptian Riviera. Israel's resort of Eilat, close to the border with Egypt, is set for a boom as thousands of Israelis who regularly holiday in Sinai look e

Tourism tipping point: Middle East travel boom delivering economic boost as Israel-Hamas war threatens recovery

The outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas in October 2023 has undercut a fledgling tourism rebound in the Holy Land after years of struggle.

Octopus Energy's wind turbine in Glastonbury, June 13, 2023.

Morocco-UK Xlinks undersea power cable to generate 'real value': Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson said that it would help Morocco fight climate change.

Survivors fill up water from a tanker truck in their earthquake-hit village of Ineghede on September 17, 2023. Over a week since a 6.8-magnitude quake devastated parts of central Morocco, many worry that the dire living conditions and poor hygiene spell new threats for the survivors. The disaster killed nearly 3,000 people and injured thousands more when it hit in Al-Haouz province. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco earthquake reconstruction to test government’s speed of execution

The speed and depth of Morocco's $11.7 billion reconstruction following the massive earthquake last month will have a huge impact on the economy and budget over the coming years.

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Morocco's national flag is displayed during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Morocco to host 2030 World Cup as Saudi Arabia bids for 2034

The announcement follows historic performances by Morocco’s men's and women's squads at their most recent respective World Cups. Saudi Arabia had also sought to host the 2030 tournament following Qatar winning the rights to host in 2022.