AGP Executive Report

Ports and Trade: King Mohammed VI reviewed progress on Nador West Med, whose first terminal is set to open within days, and the planned Tanger Med 3 expansion—projects aimed at strengthening Morocco’s role in global trade. Diplomacy: Head of Government Fatima Zahra Mansouri represented the King at the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, where talks focused on trade, investment, energy and agriculture; Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita also met Russia’s Sergei Lavrov ahead of a UN vote on Western Sahara. Investment: Morocco moved ahead of South Africa to rank fourth among Africa’s most attractive investment destinations, with industrial growth, export diversification and infrastructure cited as key strengths. Agriculture: The SIDATTES date fair opened in Erfoud, where the agriculture minister called for tighter controls on date imports and support for domestic producers. Football: Morocco’s U-17 women were knocked out of their home World Cup after a 6-0 loss to defending champions North Korea. Elections: Preparations are under way for Morocco’s 2027 local, regional and professional elections, with officials and party leaders discussing electoral rules and voter rolls.

2030 World Cup: FIFA will inspect venues in six Moroccan cities—Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier—in November and December. Morocco and Spain are competing to host the final, with the Hassan II Grand Stadium among the proposed venues. Research: A Mohammed V University team won two awards in China for work on turning argan press cake into enriched bread, a potential way to reduce waste and add value to a local resource. Investment: Morocco has overtaken South Africa to rank fourth among Africa’s investment destinations. Trade: The EU’s proposed “Made in Europe” rules could leave Morocco outside a preferred supply chain, raising concerns for exporters and industrial partners. African Football: RS Berkane will face Simba, Orlando Pirates and Cameroon’s Colombe in the CAF Champions League group stage.

2030 World Cup: FIFA will inspect candidate cities in Morocco, Spain and Portugal in November and December, including Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir and Fez. The final host city for the tournament’s final remains undecided. Air Travel: Ryanair is adding 17 routes to its biggest-ever Moroccan winter schedule, offering 5.3 million seats and opening its fifth Moroccan base in Rabat. The airline says its expansion supports more than 8,500 local jobs. Investment: Morocco rose to fourth place in Rand Merchant Bank’s latest African investment ranking, overtaking South Africa. The report points to industrial growth, export diversification and infrastructure spending. U-17 Women’s World Cup: Hosts Morocco face defending champions North Korea in today’s round of 16, while Ghana meet Argentina in Rabat. Climate: A new poll finds 84% of Moroccans support action to cut methane emissions.

Investment: Morocco has overtaken South Africa to rank as Africa’s fourth-most attractive investment destination, with manufacturing growth, infrastructure investment and economic stability helping draw foreign capital. Defense: The Royal Moroccan Air Force received six US-made Apache helicopters, bringing its fleet to 19 of 24 planned aircraft. Energy Links: Morocco and Spain will inspect the undersea power cables between them, which helped supply electricity during the 2025 Iberian blackout. 2027 Budget: The governing party PAM backed the Finance Bill, which promises tax relief, expanded social protection and support for jobs and regional development. Women’s Football: CAF has set the Women’s Champions League for November 1–15 in Egypt, with FUS Rabat and AS FAR representing Morocco. Meanwhile, Rabat is hosting FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup knockout matches as four African teams advance to the last 16.

Western Sahara: A U.S. draft ahead of the Security Council’s October 31 review would reshape MINURSO and shift its focus away from a referendum toward a political settlement, renewing debate over the territory’s future. 2027 Budget: Morocco’s proposed budget sets public investment at MAD 400 billion, boosts education funding to MAD 121.3 billion and plans income-tax exemptions for many workers; it also earmarks MAD 550 million for Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah sports complex. Economy & Infrastructure: Tanger Med Zones won a UNCTAD award for attracting high-skilled digital investment, as Morocco plans a second high-speed rail phase to Agadir. A separate budget report highlights a shortage of nearly 400,000 student-housing beds, with rents adding pressure on university families. Integrity: Marrakech will host the IAACA’s annual anti-corruption conference on November 25, bringing together authorities from around the world. Sport: Morocco’s U15 team completed a perfect group stage to reach League A, while Achraf Hakimi finished 13th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

Health and Rights: An NGO has called for the release of doctor Rachid Cherkab, jailed after criticizing management at Casablanca’s Ibn Rochd University Hospital, and urged an independent inquiry. Separately, health experts warn that diphtheria cases in Souss-Massa expose gaps in children’s vaccination. Royal Affairs: King Mohammed VI delegated management of the National Defense Administration to Head of Government Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri; he remains commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Transport: Moroccan airports handled 29.33 million passengers in the first nine months of 2026, up 8.7% year on year. A new financing model aims to fund major transport upgrades for the 2030 World Cup while easing pressure on the state budget. Food Supply: Morocco has used its 2026 duty-free quota of 300,000 cattle for slaughter and authorized imports of live Brazilian buffalo. At Sea: Search efforts continue for five fishermen missing off Safi, with rough conditions hampering rescue teams. Football: Morocco’s U15 side extended its perfect run with a 7-0 win over Curaçao, while Raja Casablanca and AS FAR Rabat advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Water Security: Morocco is targeting more than 1.8 billion cubic meters of desalinated water annually by 2031, with new plants planned and renewable power earmarked for the network. The country also expects dam storage capacity to exceed 24 billion cubic meters by the end of 2027. Western Sahara: A US-drafted Security Council resolution is expected to put Morocco’s autonomy plan at the center of negotiations; members are due to vote later this month. 2030 World Cup: Morocco’s proposed 2027 Finance Bill offers tax and customs exemptions for FIFA and tournament partners, with some measures lasting through 2032. Football: AS FAR and MAS Fez secured places in their respective CAF group stages, while Morocco’s U-17 women advanced to the World Cup last 16. Travel: Rabat-Salé Airport has introduced self-service baggage drop for Ryanair passengers, as the system expands across the country.

2030 World Cup: Morocco’s draft 2027 budget proposes tax and customs exemptions for FIFA and tournament partners, with some measures lasting through 2032. Energy Security: A Moroccan energy coalition is urging the government to restart the Samir refinery, warning that global supply disruptions expose the risks of relying on imported fuel. Trade and Taxes: Importers are concerned a proposed 5% advance tax on goods brought in for resale could add pressure on prices, though registered businesses may offset the payment. The 2027 budget also proposes income-tax exemptions for salaries below MAD 10,000. Western Sahara: A US military officer has left MINURSO as the Security Council considers a US-backed proposal to reshape the mission’s mandate and operations. Women’s Football: Morocco’s U-17 team has secured a place in the World Cup last 16, despite losing its final group match. Ghana also advanced after beating Canada 2-0. Electric Mobility: Casablanca hosts the EVS Mobility Expo from October 27 to 29, bringing together companies and officials to discuss vehicles, charging networks and investment.

Women’s Football: Morocco booked a place in the U-17 World Cup last 16 after Japan’s win over Venezuela secured the Atlas Lionesses’ progress, despite their 5-1 loss to Argentina. African Football: RS Berkane qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage with a 3-0 aggregate win over Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy. 2027 Budget: Morocco plans MAD 400 billion in public investment, while 87% of employees earning under MAD 10,000 a month are set to be exempt from income tax. The draft also allocates MAD 44.2 billion to social protection and MAD 19.4 billion to subsidies. Business and Trade: Morocco is courting Chinese investors, while Jet Energy plans a Casablanca IPO to raise up to $38 million for renewable-energy expansion. Agriculture: Morocco has reached its 2026 quota of 300,000 imported cattle, with Brazil supplying more than 90% of the animals.

2027 Budget: Morocco’s draft finance bill proposes income-tax relief for 87% of employees earning under MAD 10,000 a month, higher pensions and social assistance, and MAD 19.4 billion in subsidies for gas, sugar and wheat. The government is targeting a 3% budget deficit. Investment and Jobs: A policy review says the government’s test will be turning investment, including World Cup projects, into jobs and better public services. Dakhla Partnerships: A Somali delegation visited Dakhla-Oued Eddahab to explore cooperation in trade, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and energy. Spain Ties: Spain’s territorial policy minister urged politicians not to accuse Morocco without evidence, warning that worsening relations would hurt border regions. Food Prices: Morocco exhausted its 2026 duty-free cattle import quota of 300,000 head, with Brazil supplying more than 90% of imports.

Western Sahara Diplomacy: Morocco’s foreign minister spoke with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov as the UN Security Council weighs a US-backed draft that endorses Morocco’s autonomy plan and would reshape MINURSO. African Cooperation: Morocco presented the African Union’s position on youth, peace and security at UN talks, calling for young people to have a stronger role in conflict prevention and decision-making. In Rabat, UCESA and the AU’s ECOSOCC signed a cooperation agreement. 2027 Budget: The finance bill proposes tax relief for workers earning under MAD 10,000 a month, higher pensions and social assistance, and MAD 121.3 billion for education. It also raises the ceiling for advance defence commitments to MAD 190.5 billion. Economy and Agriculture: The African Development Bank approved $487 million to support Morocco’s economic reforms and climate resilience. Morocco has also reached its 2026 quota of 300,000 imported cattle, as drought and feed costs continue to pressure livestock supplies. Football: Raja Casablanca beat Nigeria’s El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

World Cup: Morocco’s U-17 women face Argentina in Rabat today, with a place in the knockout rounds on the line. Health and Transport: Four Moroccan truck drivers are hospitalized after suspected mosquito-borne infections contracted in Senegal; their illnesses have not been diagnosed, and transport operators are calling for medical services at Guerguerat. Justice: A Tangier court sentenced local RNI official Ahmed Zegaf to seven years in prison over alleged property fraud. Fertilizer Supply: Morocco imported 75,060 tonnes of ammonia from China in the first nine months of 2026 as global supply disruptions drive it to seek alternatives. Football: Wydad Casablanca named Nasreddine Nabi head coach on a one-year deal, while Morocco’s futsal team celebrated a record fourth straight continental title. Economy: The African Development Bank approved $487 million to support reforms and climate resilience; a World Bank report says the blue economy contributes 3.8% of GDP and supports nearly 495,000 jobs.

2027 Budget: Finance Minister Fouzi Lekjaa is due to present Morocco’s first budget under Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri’s government to a joint parliamentary session today. Government: Parliament approved the new government’s program by 204 votes to 127, after debate over living costs, corruption, jobs and public services. Its plans include high-speed rail to Agadir, new lines to Beni Mellal, and expanded desalination and water transfers. Economic Reform: The African Development Bank approved a $487 million loan to support Morocco’s reforms and economic resilience. Consumer prices rose 1% in September, with food prices up 1.6%. Futsal: Morocco beat Angola 5-2 to claim a record fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, its third in a row. Women’s Football: Morocco is hosting the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with group-stage matches underway in Rabat.

Futsal: Morocco beat Angola 5–2 in Rabat to win a record fourth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations title. King Mohammed VI congratulated the team on its achievement. Economic Reform: The African Development Bank approved $487 million to support Morocco’s structural reforms, private investment and resilience to economic and climate shocks. Water Security: The government is prioritizing desalination, small dams and water transfers, with plans for about 400 hydraulic structures and six new desalination plants as it works to secure supplies. Cost of Living: Consumer prices rose 1% in September from August, led by a 1.6% increase in food prices; annual inflation returned to positive territory at 0.5%. Trade: A 30,000-ton shipment of Chinese ammonia has opened a new supply route to Morocco, which relies on imports for a key fertilizer ingredient. U.S. Presence: The United States will offer consular services in Laayoune for the first time in November, as part of outreach in four Moroccan cities.

Futsal Triumph: Morocco beat Angola 5-2 in Rabat to claim a fourth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations title, extending the national team’s dominance of the sport. Business and Industry: Morocco registered 66,277 new businesses in the first eight months of 2026, led by Casablanca-Settat. A Qatari-backed developer also plans a $239 million sustainable aviation fuel plant in Nador. Integrity and Digital Rights: The country’s financial regulators approved a 2027-28 roadmap to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. Separately, the government plans to ban social media use for children under 15. Public Safety: Four people were killed and 22 injured when a bus overturned in Zagora province; two critically injured passengers were transferred to Marrakech. AFCON Appeal: The Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to rule by the end of November on Senegal’s challenge to CAF’s decision to award Morocco the 2025 title.

Road Safety: Four people were killed and 22 injured when a bus overturned in Zagora province. The bus was travelling from Marrakech to M’Hamid El Ghizlane; an investigation is under way. Futsal: Morocco thrashed Egypt 6-0 to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final, where it faces Angola in Rabat. Government and Economy: The new government’s 2027 finance bill sets out a 5% growth target and promises action on living costs, jobs and social support. Morocco’s trade deficit has meanwhile hit a record MAD 352 billion as imports outpace exports. Agriculture and Trade: A new China-to-Morocco ammonia shipping route has begun with a 30,000-tonne cargo, adding a supply link for fertilizer production. Tourism: Moroccan airports handled 26 million passengers in the first eight months of 2026, up 8.8% year on year.