Investing in the Moroccan Sahara means combining economic ambition and patriotic commitment

A graduate of IAE Nice, where he obtained a master's degree in International Financial Engineering, Badr El Jamri began his career at a major Moroccan consulting firm, where he gained valuable experience and strengthened his skills in financial analysis, investment strategy and complex project management.

He has worked on large-scale projects for various government and banking institutions in Rabat, Casablanca and Laayoune, which has given him a deep understanding of the country's economic challenges.

Throughout these experiences, he developed a keen ability to identify business opportunities in Morocco, especially in the southern regions, whose exceptional potential he recognised early on.

Atalayar had the opportunity to speak with him at the MD Sahara Forum held in Dakhla to learn about his experience.

Commitment driven by a vision of economic patriotism

In response to how he came up with the idea of investing in Dakhla, Badr El Jamri stated that the decision to invest in southern Morocco is not based solely on economic considerations, but is strongly linked to what he describes as economic patriotism as a concrete way of contributing to the development of the Moroccan kingdom, far from any superficial symbolism.

‘My family environment also played a decisive role,’ he added, saying that ‘the fact that my father had been appointed chairman of the board of a large bank covering all the southern provinces had a profound influence on my career. This allowed me to discover these territories up close, understand their economic dynamics and immerse myself in their cultures.’

Responding to the royal call and supporting the development of the south

El Jamri's decision to settle and invest in the southern provinces is in line with the guidelines of King Mohammed VI, who constantly encourages Moroccan youth to contribute to the development of the Moroccan Sahara, strengthen north-south ties and defend the interests of territorial integrity.

In parallel with his projects, Badr El Jamri is actively involved in the regional marketing of the region, participating in various economic forums, socio-cultural events and international initiatives.

In 2018, he was honoured by the Crans Montana Forum in Dakhla as a ‘New Leader for Tomorrow’, recognising his commitment to ecotourism in the region.

Dajla: a territory undergoing profound transformation

In his assessment of the dynamics of development in the southern territories, particularly in Dajla, El Jamri, as a privileged observer, has stated that he has seen the region evolve spectacularly in terms of modern infrastructure, new connections — especially air links — and structural projects that have generated concrete benefits for the population.

For the young entrepreneur, this transformation generates a deep sense of pride and reinforces his desire to take action. In fact, in the midst of this dynamic, El Jamri is undertaking the construction of a 5-star hotel in Oued Eddahab Bay, designed according to an innovative vision and fully aligned with the principles of sustainable tourism.

‘This project brings together high-level experts: the prestigious Spanish firm ELESDOPA in Granada, renowned for its expertise in complex structures; and the architectural firm ASS.AR in Rabat, renowned for its mastery of contemporary concepts and its ability to integrate regional specificities into large-scale projects,’ Badr El Jamri explained to Atalayar.

‘The complementarity between international engineering and Moroccan architecture allowed us to achieve a real feat, reducing the ecological impact by more than 30% compared to a conventional structure, both in terms of the building itself and in terms of energy balance and design,’ emphasised the young entrepreneur.

The project embodies El Jamri's clear ambition to promote an innovative, responsible and environmentally friendly model of tourism, while enhancing the extraordinary natural heritage of Dakhla.

Adapting to local realities in order to succeed

Among the advice Badr El Jamri would give to any young person with investment projects who wants to set up in Dakhla, he highlights the importance of a strong ability to adapt; it is therefore essential to understand local customs and the codes that structure society, which is still marked by a strong tribal organisation.

‘As for the region's particular climatic conditions, El Jamri clarified that they must be anticipated from the very conception of projects,’ emphasising that the quality of life in the city of Dakhla is constantly improving and modernising.

Moroccan Sahara: immense potential for the 2030 horizon

Despite all the challenges, Badr El Jamri is convinced that Dakhla, like the other cities of the Moroccan Sahara, has exceptional potential. The development of tourism, fishing, logistics and services could lead the region to a real take-off towards 2030.

According to El Jabri, this ambition will be achieved by advocating for:

• Strengthening investment incentives.
• Simplifying administrative procedures.
• Promoting coherent and integrated territorial development.
• Involving local youth more, as they are the real driving force of the future.