Morocco - The African Mirror

Oct

2023

Morocco signs $282 mln financing agreements with African Development Bank

MOROCCO has signed three financing agreements with the African Development Bank worth more than 2.9 billion dirhams ($281.96 million), Morocco state news agency (MAP) reported. The first agreement would finance a health infrastructure program with about $126.4 million, while another agreement would support a social coverage program with approximately $155.6 million. The third agreement is for financing an emergency assistance project following the deadliest earthquake in the country's recent history in September, with $1 million.

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Morocco to build new stadium, upgrade six others before 2030 World Cup

NEWS

MOROCCO plans to build a large stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca, and upgrade six others in preparation for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup, the prime minister's office said. A deal was signed the same day between the government and state-owned fund CDG to finance the new stadium to be ready by 2028 for a total cost of 5 billion dirhams ($500 million), the office said in a statement. The six stadiums- to be renovated to host the African cup of nations in 2025 and the 2030 World Cup- are in the cities of Agadir, Casablanca Fez, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier,…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Morocco seizes 1.37 tons of cocaine concealed in frozen fish

NEWS

THE Moroccan police said that it had seized 1.37 tons of cocaine in Casablanca. The drug was concealed in a cargo of imported frozen fish found at a distribution company in Morocco's largest city, it said in a statement. Preliminary findings suggest the cargo was imported from a Latin American country via Spain, the Moroccan police said, noting that investigations are ongoing.

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Thousands stage largest anti-Israeli march in Morocco since normalisation

NEWS

THOUSANDS marched in Rabat in support of Palestinians under siege in Gaza, in the biggest anti-Israeli protest since the 2020 normalisation of diplomatic relations. At the march, organised by Islamists and leftist groups, protesters chanted: "Palestine is resisting" and "All against normalisation" as they burned an Israeli flag. "I denounce the double standards of many Western governments regarding Palestinians," said Charki Lahrech at the protest, saying some nations were turning a blind eye to Israel's retaliatory strikes after the attack by Hamas militants. "You cannot denounce Hamas acts and look away from Israeli killing of civilians including children, women and…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup – Palestine and Western Sahara will be burning issues

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THE 2030 men’s football World Cup will be co-hosted by three countries across two continents after Morocco, Spain and Portugal’s successful bid was selected by Fifa, the sport’s world governing body. For the north African country of Morocco, this represents a milestone after five unsuccessful bids. It becomes just the second African and second Arab country to host the prestigious tournament – after South Africa in 2010 and Qatar in 2022. MAHFOUD AMARA, Associate Professor in Sport Policy & Management, Qatar University But there’s a bigger picture. The news can be celebrated as a symbol of reconciliation among three historically…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Morocco not trying to lure Yamal – federation statement

FOOTBALL

MOROCCO are not still trying to persuade Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to play for them and they respect his decision to represent Spain, the Moroccan football federation said on Tuesday. Yamal, who has a Moroccan father, was born and raised in Spain and has become a key part of Barca's forward line and made his senior debut for Spain last month. Spanish newspaper AS reported on Tuesday that Morocco, who will stage the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal, are trying to convince Yamal to switch allegiance. The report said he had previously rejected a financial offer to play…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

IFC loans Morocco’s OCP $106 million to build two solar power plants

BUSINESS

MOROCCO'S state-owned phosphates and fertiliser producer OCP said it had signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank's investment arm, on a 100 million-euro ($106 million) loan to build two solar plants to increase production of low-carbon fertilizers. The two photovoltaic plants will be located in the mining areas of Khouribga and Benguerir with a combined capacity of 400 megawatts and a storage capacity of up to 100 megawatt-hours, OCP said in a statement. This green loan is the second offered by the IFC to OCP within a year after a similar 100 million-euro loan last…

Oct

2023

By ROHITH NAIR and DANIELA DESANTIS

FIFA WORLD CUP IN AFRICA: Morocco, Spain and Portugal to host 2030 World Cup

FOOTBALL

IN a surprise announcement a year earlier than planned FIFA allocated the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Spain and Portugal but also said Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host three matches to mark the tournament's centenary. FIFA said the joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain was the sole candidate to host the tournament. The inaugural World Cup in 1930 was held in Uruguay and won by the hosts after they defeated Argentina in the final in Montevideo. Spain was awarded the World Cup weeks after their disgraced former chief Luis Rubiales was forced to step down following his allegedly unsolicited…

Oct

2023

By AHMED ELJECHTIMI

Moroccans ‘honoured’ to co-host soccer 2030 World Cup

FOOTBALL

MOROCCANS welcomed the announcement that their country would co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, after years of failed attempts. FIFA on Wednesday made a surprise announcement confirming Spain, Portugal and Morocco as hosts after another bid dropped out, but said the three opening matches would be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. After five failed attempts to become World Cup hosts, the announcement that Morocco will share the honours will lift spirits in the north African country, a month after a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 people. Soccer is a big part of Moroccan life, with…

Sep

2023

By The African Mirror

Britain backs undersea cable to tap Moroccan renewable power

NEWS

BRITAIN has designated a plan to build a subsea cable carrying renewable energy from Morocco as a project of "national significance", which could help smooth planning hurdles. Xlinks, a company chaired by former Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis, wants to build 3,800 kilometres (2361.21 miles) of subsea cables to supply solar and wind power from the Sahara to 7 million British homes by 2030. While Xlinks called the government's recognition of its project "a major milestone", many challenges remain. As well as needing to build the world's longest high-voltage direct current subsea cable, Xlinks needs to secure more funding, agree on…