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Morocco

April 11, 2025

Medina De Rabat 9:43 am

20°C

A couple hold their son's hands as they herd sheep near the village of Amellagou where Morocco's last nomads reside, on Sept. 2, 2022.

Morocco's economic growth slows as drought, locusts deplete farmland

The North African country is grappling with a sixth year of drought, the longest in Morocco’s modern history.

FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Growing arms race tests Morocco’s military tech edge, Israel ties

Morocco has been steadily building up its military in recent years and in November reports surfaced that the North African country was in talks to acquire Turkish drones.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Xi Jinping president of China waves during the first working session as part of the G20 summit 2024 at Museu de Arte Moderna on Nov. 18, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

China's Xi Jingping in Morocco as Beijing eyes bigger role in Africa's infrastructure boom

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Morocco on Thursday as China wades deeper into Morocco's transportation and EV industries.

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.

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Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

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.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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

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

Middle East businesses lack clear climate guidelines, WEF report warns

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

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).

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

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.

This photograph taken on June 21, 2023, shows an Airbus A321 XLR airplane.

Analysis

More Middle East aircraft orders expected after quiet Paris Air Show

The IBA industry consultancy firm had expected an order from Turkish Airlines, but the carrier delayed its plans at the last minute by two months.

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

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Morocco cancels Negev summit with Israel over settlement expansion

The Israeli government's decision to place settlement construction authorization in the hands of Finance Minister and Deputy Defense Minister Bezalel Smotrich left Morocco with little choice but to cancel the Negev Forum meeting.

Cars queue before embarking on ferries bound for Tangier at the Algeciras port on July 27, 2019. - Thousands of Moroccan nationals working and living in Europe pass through the Strait of Gibraltar as they return to spend summer holidays in Morocco. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco to accelerate transition to EV manufacturing

The long-term prospects for auto manufacturing in the country will hinge on an effective transition into the manufacturing of electric cars.

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Israel Morocco

Israeli parliament speaker Amir Ohana pays first visit to Morocco

As the son of Moroccan-born parents, Knesset speaker Amir Ohana is especially moved to visit his family's homeland.

A farmer inspects plants in a cannabis field in the village of Azila in Morocco's Ketama region at the foot of the marginalised and underdeveloped mountainous region of Rif on September 16, 2022. - High in the hills of northern Morocco, vast cannabis fields are ready for harvest, but farmers complain that a government plan to market the crop legally is a slow burner. The marginalised region has long been a major source of illicit hashish smuggled to Europe while Moroccan authorities, wary of social unrest,

Morocco's share in formal cannabis market to remain minimal despite reforms

There are questions as to whether local dynamics in the cannabis-growing region and the prospect of international competition could stunt the government’s attempts to make Morocco a powerhouse for the export of legal cannabis.

Harry Clynch

In London, reporting on Middle East economics

Wheat in Morocco

Drought threatens Morocco's bread basket economy: World Bank

Last year, the Maghreb experienced one of its worst droughts in decade, causing a 60% decline in Moroccan cereal production.

People walk through an alley of a traditional souk in the old Medina of Marrakesh on Dec. 30, 2014.

Morocco’s textile industry rebounds, as demand spikes from Northern Europe

The head of Morocco's textile association said there is growing demand from Northern European buyers for locally made knitwear and corporate apparel.

Morocco-EU

Morocco’s economy to benefit as EU drops it from money laundering list

The North African country was removed from the list of high-risk countries for money laundering and terrorism financing in a decision announced by the European Commission on Wednesday.

Hydrogen-powered car

King Mohammed IV launches Morocco's first hydrogen car

The development of the hydrogen-powered vehicle, due to be released in 2025, is a response to the rising global demand for sustainable cars.