AGP Executive Report

Ports Reform: Morocco’s National Ports Agency has been converted into state-owned “Ports du Maroc SA” under Law No. 34.25, shifting the operator into joint-stock company law while keeping full state ownership. Energy & Investment: TAQA Morocco reported first-half revenue down 5.4% to MAD 5.09bn, citing maintenance and FX effects, while doubling capital spending to MAD 515m as it pushes low-carbon projects and expands into desalination and renewables. Digital Cooperation: Morocco and India agreed to set up a joint commission on languages and digital technologies, including large language models, plus work on digital identity, e-payments, data governance, and skills. Agriculture & Trade: Bangladesh approved imports of 140,000 tons of phosphate fertilizers from OCP Nutricrops (DAP and TSP), reinforcing government-to-government supply ties. Power Restoration Support: Morocco sent a technical team and equipment to help Mauritania restore electricity in Nouakchott after transformer-station fires. Food Supply Pressure: Morocco’s dairy cooperatives are struggling to import cattle as prices spike and disease-related import rules delay new supply.

Morocco–India Trade & Industry Push: Morocco and India used the 7th session of their Joint Commission in Rabat to target a broader economic partnership, with trade already at about $4.4bn and both sides looking to expand investment, industrial cooperation and technology exchange across sectors like automotive, aviation, textiles, pharma, recycling and building materials. Fertilizer & Food Security: Morocco will restart soft wheat imports from mid-September via a variable subsidy for cargoes loaded between Sept. 16 and Dec. 31, with support calculated against a reference price of 270 dirhams per quintal. Port Logistics for MREs: Tangier Med is ramping up Marhaba 2026 return flows, using a fixed-ticket system and a pre-departure support setup at the Mediterranean Rest Area to reduce congestion and speed ferry boarding. Energy & Infrastructure: Gas flows from Spain to Morocco reportedly fell nearly a third, while Morocco also advances gas corridor plans amid shifting EU supply dynamics. Aviation Safety Watch: An inquest opened in the UK after an unidentified stowaway was found dead in the wheel compartment of an Air Arabia flight from Tangiers, with the cause linked to cardiac arrest, hypoxia and hypothermia.

Morocco–India Economic Push: Rabat hosted the 7th Morocco-India joint commission, with both sides aiming to expand trade and investment beyond goods into fertilizers, agriculture, food safety, pharma, automotive, water, rail, renewables, digital and logistics; bilateral trade was put at about $4bn in 2025. Wheat Supply Support: ONICL will restart soft wheat imports from Sept. 16 to Dec. 31, using a variable subsidy tied to a 270 dirhams/quintal reference price to bridge the gap between landed costs and the benchmark. Port & Logistics Flow: Tanger Med’s Marhaba 2026 departure phase is running smoothly, using a pre-departure support system at the Mediterranean Rest Area to reduce congestion; officials cite thousands of passengers processed via fixed-ticket procedures. Energy & Trade Signals: Gas flows from Spain to Morocco have dropped to around two-thirds of normal levels, with the cause still unclear. Industry Context: Worldsteel reported July 2026 crude steel output at 149.2Mt globally, with Morocco included among Africa’s rising production. Fertilizer Market Moves: OCP is positioning for Europe with low-cadmium fertilizer plans, while Morocco also prepares government fertilizer procurement to shore up stocks.

Port & Logistics: Maersk launched an integrated Tangier–Casablanca rail service to ease freight congestion, shifting volume away from overcrowded Casablanca docks and improving predictability for Moroccan supply chains. Fertilizer & Food Security: OCP says it has cut cadmium in phosphate fertilizers to below 20 mg/kg P2O5 since 2025 to meet tighter European rules, while OCP North America reports a first TSP shipment (about 54,000 tons) arriving in New Orleans after temporary US tariff relief. Trade Diplomacy: India’s Jitin Prasada is in Morocco to co-chair the 7th India–Morocco Joint Commission, with talks spanning fertilizer supply, customs, agriculture/food safety, energy and mining, renewables, and transport/logistics. Industrial Investment: Chinese textile firm Shengtai plans a $230m “Green Textile Industrial Park” in Morocco (Skhirat and Fez), targeting yarn, dyed fabrics and garments and creating thousands of jobs. Energy & Infrastructure Outlook: A Morocco–EU energy angle also surfaced via a reported push to expand offshore wind capacity globally, underscoring the wider renewables race. Migration Pressure (Ceuta): Ceuta’s hospitality sector warns of collapse after the late-July migrant surge, citing insecurity and major revenue losses.

Western Sahara Build-Out: Morocco is pushing a “level it up” strategy in Dakhla, with desalination, new roads and plans for green hydrogen and a major Atlantic port aimed at boosting cargo flows—while the UN still classifies the territory as non-self-governing. Green Hydrogen & Industry Links: Bavaria is forging a Morocco hydrogen import corridor, using OCP-linked infrastructure and electrolyser capacity to support Germany’s heavy-industry decarbonization. Trade & Tourism Digital Push: Spain-Morocco trade hit about €22.757bn in 2025, and Morocco’s tourism growth is being accelerated by digitalization and AI-driven booking and pricing tools. Logistics Upgrade: Maersk is launching a Tangier–Casablanca rail link to ease freight pressure and improve supply-chain reliability. Mining & Capital: A look at King Mohammed VI’s family holdings shows heavy exposure to listed mining via Al Mada/Managem. Agriculture & Food Security: FAO estimates put Egypt as top Arab wheat producer in 2026, with Morocco projected around 5m tons. Labor Rights: Morocco reports major progress cutting child labour, but rural poverty keeps tens of thousands still working. Football Talent Pipeline: Manchester City agreed up to £86m for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, underscoring Morocco’s growing role in European talent supply.

Tourism Digital Push: Morocco’s tourism drive is leaning harder on digital tools and AI, as arrivals jumped from 17.4M (2024) to 19.8M (2025), with booking platforms becoming the main global storefront and AI moving into personalized planning and pricing. Logistics Rail Upgrade: Maersk launched a high-frequency Tangier–Casablanca rail freight service, aiming to cut port congestion and make transit times more predictable by routing cargo from Tanger Med into Morocco’s industrial heartland. Child Labour Reality Check: Morocco’s progress on child labour is real, but about 101,000 children (7–17) were still working in 2024, concentrated in rural areas where poverty and limited schooling keep kids in the workforce. Prosperity Snapshot: Morocco placed 76th in the 2026 Legatum Prosperity Index, slightly below its best-ever rank, with the index tracking development, freedom and social fabric. Agri-Solar Experiment: Rooftop agrivoltaics tests show saffron under semi-transparent solar panels can roughly double yields, pointing to dual-income rooftop farming. Food Trade Context: Spain’s olive oil imports rose sharply, with Morocco gaining weight as supply and pricing shift across the Mediterranean.

Logistics & Trade: Maersk launched a high-frequency Tangier–Casablanca rail freight service, fully operational since Aug. 14, to move cargo from Tanger Med into Morocco’s main industrial hub with more predictable transit times and integrated customs/storage-to-delivery support. Regional Development: Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa said Morocco’s next government should “move at one speed,” prioritizing faster delivery on roads, education and healthcare to narrow regional gaps and tackle high school dropout, with youth skills and employment pathways as a core lever. Youth & Skills: Morocco marked Youth Day with a stocktake of King Mohammed VI’s push for human capital—vocational training via Cities of Trades and Skills, entrepreneurship support (Intelaka/Forsa/Maroc PME), and education/employment reforms aimed at turning youth potential into growth. Child Labour: Morocco reported major progress in cutting child labour since 2017, but warned that nearly 101,000 children (7–17) were still economically active in 2024, concentrated in rural areas where poverty and limited schooling keep children at work. Mining & Metals: Morocco-linked exploration updates highlighted expanding copper and critical-mineral prospects, including new drilling and resource work across regional projects.

Trade & Food Prices: Spain’s olive oil imports from outside the EU jumped 83.9% in the first five months of 2026 to 73,400 tons, with Morocco gaining weight as supply tightness and price gaps push Spanish buyers toward Tunisia and Morocco. Logistics & Ports: Maersk launched an integrated Tangier–Casablanca rail service to cut bottlenecks and ease port congestion, aiming for more predictable inland flows as Casablanca’s port throughput keeps rising. Regional Development: Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa says Morocco’s next government must narrow regional disparities in education, healthcare and infrastructure, warning that 300,000 students leave school each year and calling for faster, measurable delivery. Mountain Policy: Morocco’s Civil Coalition for the Mountain urges election commitments for mountainous areas, including a legal framework, adapted roads, anti-poverty support, and targeted help for mountain agriculture and sustainable industries. Pharma Investment: Pharma Capital (Sefrioui Group) is seeking to acquire 100% of Servier Maroc and Servier Maroc Investissements, pending regulatory approval, as the group expands further into medicines. Global Market Outlook: The global Moroccan lantern market is projected to reach $879.38m by 2034, led by Europe and driven by decorative lighting and home decor demand.

Regional Disparities Agenda: Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa says Morocco’s next government must “move at one speed,” cutting gaps in education, healthcare and infrastructure, and tackling school dropout as 300,000 students leave school each year. Youth & Skills Pipeline: He links the country’s competitiveness to expanding training and jobs for young people, citing progress in sports, engineering, medicine and innovation when opportunities are widened. Pharma Deal Watch: Pharma Capital (Sefrioui Group) seeks to buy 100% of Servier Maroc and Servier Maroc Investissements, pending Competition Council approval, as the group expands from property into pharmaceuticals. Mountain Commitments: Morocco’s Civil Coalition for the Mountain urges election platforms to include a legal framework for mountainous areas, adapted roads, anti-poverty programs, and support for mountain agriculture and eco-tourism. Consumer & Food Prices: Morocco’s inflation eased in July as food prices declined, with HCP data pointing to falling consumer prices. Trade & Logistics: Maersk is pushing a Tangier–Casablanca rail link to ease port congestion and improve supply-chain performance. Global Market Signals: The global Moroccan lantern market is forecast to reach $879m by 2034, led by Europe and hanging lanterns.

Mountain Policy Push: Morocco’s Civil Coalition for the Mountain is urging parties to back September 2026 election commitments with a dedicated legal framework, terrain-adapted roads, anti-poverty programs, and support for mountain agriculture and eco-tourism. Trade & Food Prices: Morocco’s inflation eased in July, with food prices down and non-food costs rising, giving Bank Al-Maghrib room to keep policy accommodative. Port Operations: Tanger Med warned travelers to avoid the Aug. 25–30 peak return window for Operation Marhaba 2026, stressing ticket date/time matching to reduce delays. Fertilizer Supply Chain: OCP resumed U.S. phosphate shipments after temporary U.S. duty relief, while industry reports flag potential extra European demand if a Lithuanian plant shutdown tightens supply. Energy Tech Investment: Willfar set up a Casablanca subsidiary to expand smart-grid and metering solutions across Africa and the Middle East. Agribusiness Exports: EU greenhouse-veg imports show Morocco and Turkey gaining ground as Morocco’s tomato volumes rise sharply, even as its share shifts. Humanitarian Reality at Ceuta: Reports describe migrants stranded in and around Fnideq and Ceuta after the July rush, with thousands still waiting amid harsh conditions.

Inflation Watch: Morocco’s CPI fell 0.6% year-on-year in July as food prices dropped 3.7%, while non-food costs rose 1.9%, giving Bank Al Maghrib room to keep a relatively accommodative stance. Fertilizer & Phosphates: OCP returned to the U.S. market with a first shipment of 54,000 tons after temporary U.S. tariff relief, as Washington frames Moroccan phosphate as a strategic counterweight to China amid supply-chain pressure. Trade & Logistics: Royal Air Maroc Cargo launched Casablanca–Los Angeles service (3x weekly) to boost air links for textiles, perishables and broader Africa–West Coast trade. Energy & Industry Tech: Chinese smart-grid firm Willfar opened a Casablanca subsidiary to expand metering, energy efficiency and smart water management across Africa and the Middle East. Mining Pipeline: TitanBeach titanium project advanced with a new agreement giving NSM Capital a 32% stake via Shan Tang Mining, alongside pilot-plant work. Copper Exploration: Morocco Strategic Minerals reported high-grade copper and silver results from sampling across its Western High Atlas targets, moving toward drill-target definition. Port Operations: Tanger Med warned travelers to avoid Aug 25–30 during Operation Marhaba’s busiest return phase and to match tickets to exact crossing times. Humanitarian Pressure at Ceuta: Thousands of migrants remain in limbo in Ceuta after police moved some groups to shelters, highlighting ongoing strain on Spain’s border response.

Aviation & Cargo: Royal Air Maroc Cargo launched a Casablanca–Los Angeles route (3x weekly) to serve perishable and textile shippers, positioning Rabat’s hub for Africa–US West Coast and Africa–Asia trade flows. Mining & Metals: Morocco Strategic Minerals reported fresh high-grade copper results across its Western High Atlas projects (Ouneine, Tanfit, Ijoukak), advancing drill-target definition. Fertilizers & Agri-exports: OCP resumed U.S. phosphate shipments after temporary countervailing duty relief, with a first 54,000-ton consignment arriving in New Orleans. Consumer & Prices: Morocco’s CPI fell 0.6% in July (HCP), led by lower food prices, while non-food inflation rose slightly. Defense Support: Lockheed Martin won a $31.29m F-16 engineering/technical assistance contract under U.S. Foreign Military Sales, with Morocco among beneficiary countries. Logistics & Trade: Maersk’s Tangier–Casablanca rail link aims to ease port congestion and improve supply-chain performance. Energy Transition: Morocco was named among priority markets for a $200m African Energy Transition Fund, signaling continued support for industrial decarbonization.

Gaza Funding: The U.S. told Congress it will send over $206M for a stalled Gaza peacekeeping force, with $200M for equipment and operations plus $6M to repurpose armored vehicles—an early concrete step toward rebuilding plans. EV Manufacturing Push: Chery is buying Nissan’s Rosslyn plant in South Africa to assemble EVs and hybrids, signaling a broader China-to-Africa shift that analysts link to Morocco as a likely EV investment destination. Morocco Inflation Watch: Morocco’s CPI fell 0.6% year-on-year in July, driven by a 3.7% drop in food prices, while fuel eased 4.9%—a mixed but cooling picture for household costs. Aerospace Support: Lockheed Martin won a $31.29M U.S. contract for engineering and technical assistance for Morocco’s F-16 fleet under Foreign Military Sales. Cement Market Scrutiny (Regional): Nigeria’s FCCPC flagged possible cement price manipulation after a cross-border review that included Morocco, alongside Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt and Algeria. Weather & Water Stress: Morocco’s meteorology office issued an orange alert for thunderstorms and hail in several provinces, as dam reserves have been declining sharply over recent months.

Competition Watch: Nigeria’s FCCPC has opened a deeper probe into possible cement price manipulation after a three-month cross-border study, summoning major producers and comparing Nigeria with Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria. Morocco Trade & Industry: Maersk has launched a Tangier–Casablanca rail freight service to ease port congestion and improve supply-chain reliability, with Casablanca handling 17m tonnes in H1 2026. Fertilizer Exports: OCP resumed Moroccan phosphate fertilizer shipments to the US after a temporary lift of countervailing duties; the first 54,000-ton TSP cargo has arrived in New Orleans. Macroeconomy: Morocco’s inflation cooled in July 2026, with the CPI down 0.6% year-on-year, driven by lower food prices. Energy Transition: Morocco was named among priority markets for a $200m African Energy Transition Fund, signaling continued support for industrial decarbonization. Logistics & Security: US reporting suggests Washington is increasingly viewing Morocco as a long-term security partner amid Russia’s expanding footprint in North Africa.

Port & Rail Logistics: Maersk launched a Tangier–Casablanca rail freight service to ease port congestion and give shippers a more reliable alternative route into Morocco’s main commercial hub, while Suez Canal transits keep climbing as more carriers test the Red Sea corridor again. Trade & Fertilizers: OCP resumed phosphate fertilizer shipments to the U.S. after temporary countervailing duties were lifted, with a first 54,000-ton shipment of Moroccan TSP arriving in New Orleans. Energy Transition Finance: Morocco was named among 13 priority markets for a proposed $200m African energy transition fund (ATAF) backed by the African Development Bank, targeting renewable power, storage, transmission and efficiency projects. Foreign Investment in Logistics: Danish A.P. Moller Capital agreed to take a majority stake in Moroccan 3PL Globex Investissement, aiming to scale express, road freight, forwarding and customs services with a greener “Net Zero” roadmap. Climate & Water Risk: L’Economiste warns Morocco faces systemic vulnerability to drought and extreme rainfall, with falling freshwater reserves, dam capacity loss from silt and a national flood-management program budgeted at 5.7bn dirhams through 2050. Textiles & Industrial Parks: Chinese textile maker Shengtai secured key approvals for a MAD 2.29bn green textile industrial park in Morocco, focused on cotton yarn, fabrics and apparel. Construction Materials Oversight (Regional): Nigeria’s FCCPC opened further probes into possible cement price manipulation after cross-border comparisons including Morocco, as prices rose despite reported surplus capacity. Defense Support: Lockheed Martin won a new U.S. contract for engineering and technical support that includes Morocco, running through June 2029.

Logistics & Investment: A.P. Moller Capital agreed to buy a majority stake in Moroccan 3PL Globex Investissement, backing the Casablanca-based firm’s express delivery, freight forwarding, customs clearance and warehousing as the deal awaits Morocco’s Competition Council clearance. Agri-food Trade: Morocco and Chile signed a cooperation protocol on quarantine, plant and animal health, aiming to open Morocco’s market to Chilean plant and animal products and derivatives, with logistics links highlighted via the Bioceanic Road Corridor and the future Dakhla Atlantic Port. Mining & Industry: Canada’s Steadright Critical Minerals received Moroccan approval for its TitanBeach titanium project, a step toward scaling heavy mineral sands extraction and downstream industrial value. Phosphate Exports: OCP North America reported the arrival of a Moroccan Triple Super Phosphate shipment to the U.S. after temporary countervailing duty relief. Digital Economy: Morocco’s Digital Development Agency launched a review of GITEX Africa four years after its launch to measure economic, tech and media impact and shape future editions. Border & Migration (Ceuta): Spain says five migrant women received medical care after alleged sexual assaults following July crossings; Morocco also tightened transit rules for Nigerians amid fake Schengen visa concerns.