Morocco - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Morocco cover image

Morocco

November 22, 2024

Medina De Rabat 2:55 am

14°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

Sign up to our Daily Briefing

Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.

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

Overturned cars lay among other debris caused by flash floods in Derna, eastern Libya, on Sept. 11, 2023.

Over 8,000 dead in Morocco earthquake, Libya floods

The two natural disasters in North Africa occurred within days of one another.

Morocco earthquake

Morocco earthquake damage could wipe out as much as 8% of GDP

The US Geological Survey warns of severe potential economic losses from the Morocco earthquake's "extensive damage."

A resident navigates through the rubble following a 6.8-magnitude quake in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late September 8 killed more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco earthquake: death toll passes 2,400, historic Marrakesh buildings damaged

Most of the casualties from the massive tremor were in an area south of Marrakesh.

A policeman watches as people cool off in the water at el-Kettani beach in the Bab el-Oued suburb, Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 15, 2020.

Two Moroccan-French tourists killed by Algerian coastguard

The tourists had strayed into Algerian waters. The incident could further inflame longstanding tensions between Morocco and Algeria.

Putin Tebboune

Analysis

Russia pushes North African trade area as Ukraine sanctions bite

Russia's influence across North Africa is varied, but regional countries could benefit from discounted Russian hydrocarbons, grain and fertilizer.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

COLIN MURTY/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: August 3, 2023, 10:37 am

Morocco makes history, advances at Women’s World Cup

The Atlas Lionesses are the first team from the Arab World to play in the soccer tournament.

Valentina Cernoia of Italy competes for the ball with Fatima Gharbi of Morocco during the Women´s International Friendly match between Italy and Morocco at Stadio Paolo Mazza on July 01, 2023 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Morocco chases history at FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia

The Moroccan women’s team is the first team from the Arab world to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Their success follows a historic run by the Moroccan men’s team at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita poses for a photo.

Morocco king invites Israel’s Netanyahu for visit following Western Sahara recognition

Only two days after Israel recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, King Mohammed VI invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a visit.

Israeli and Moroccan flags are pictured during an official ceremony in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv, on September 13, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: July 17, 2023, 2:32 pm

Israel recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara

The move follows the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords.

Alstrom train

France’s Alstom to build second rail plant in Morocco

The company has previously made tramway vehicles in Rabat and Casablanca as well as high speed trains that operate between Casablanca and Tangier.

This picture taken on April 18, 2023 shows the Green Hydrogen Plant built by Spanish company Iberdrola in Puertollano.

Analysis

Morocco's agricultural independence to get boost from green ammonia plant

The project by the state-owned company in Tarfaya will help the North African country meet the domestic demand for the compound, which is a crucial ingredient in nitrate fertilizers.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

A Moroccan farmer walks past solar panels that are connected to a generator which feeds a pump extracting water from underground in Tafoughalt, a little village deep in the mountains of Morocco's eastern Berkane province, on October 31, 2016. As the Cop22 gets underway in Marrakesh, negotiators are thrashing out the details of a landmark global agreement designed to stave off disastrous climate change, but in Tafoughalt that impact is being felt already. Rising temperatures are among the factors making the

How North Africa’s renewable energy regulations can boost FDI

Foreign investors and institutions are showing serious interest in North Africa’s renewable energy industry, but regulations remain key.