New impetus for Morocco's government
Morocco is breathing new life into Aziz Akhannouch's government with a government reform that includes 14 new ministers and the departure of eight former ministers.
The Moroccan king, Mohammed VI, has encouraged this reform of the Moroccan government to give a new impetus to the national executive with a view to continuing the reforms necessary for the process of national modernisation undertaken since the Alawi monarch ascended to the throne in 1999.
16 ministers have been retained in their posts to continue on the path set out in their areas of responsibility, and 14 new ministers have been appointed to improve other dynamics.
This is the first government reform of Aziz Akhannouch's government since it was formed after winning the elections in September 2021. But a new push is needed to further develop the reforms proposed in all areas under the leadership of the Moroccan monarch.
Some important names remain on the national government's establishment plan, a sign that good work is being done in their respective areas.
For example, Abdelaoui Laftit remains at the head of the Interior Ministry. A decision that endorses the defence and security work being carried out in the Moroccan kingdom, led by Abdellatif Hammouchi, head of Morocco's Directorate General of National Security (DGSN), with an effective fight against criminal gangs and terrorist groups, which is well coordinated with important countries on the international scene.
In addition, Nasser Bourita remains at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad to further strengthen the Moroccan kingdom's strong diplomatic role in the world. Morocco has an excellent network of international alliances, which is demonstrated in very important matters such as cooperation in defence and security, trade and financial relations, and Western Sahara, which is of vital importance to the North African nation in preserving its territorial integrity through a proposal for broad autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty for the Sahrawi territory as the most appropriate formula for settling the Sahrawi dispute. This initiative has the backing of more than 100 countries, including such important nations as the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Germany and Spain.
Nadia Fettah continues to head the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Ryad Mezzour the Ministry of Industry and Trade in order to continue implementing the economic policy designed by the Moroccan state, which is turning the North African country into a dynamic economy that seeks to develop various sectors by attracting a significant volume of national and international investment. In this regard, the New Investment Charter sponsored by King Mohammed VI is of great importance, as it provides for a significant amount of state money and tax incentives to promote all types of infrastructure and attract the interest of entrepreneurs and companies interested in investing in a nation with great potential such as Morocco.
Meanwhile, Nizar Baraka continues to coordinate the Ministry of Equipment and Water to continue fighting against a scourge that plagues the country, such as the lack of water resources and the persistent drought caused by climate change that affects the whole world. The Moroccan government has been implementing solutions to improve the country's water resources, such as the development of more desalination infrastructures to harness seawater for domestic and agricultural use, and water highways to connect different basins and make more efficient use of the water flow between the nation's territories.
Another important pillar of Morocco's economy is Tourism, which continues to grow exponentially, and Fatima-Zahra Ammor remains at the helm due to this good trend. The Moroccan kingdom has experienced a new historical record of tourists in Morocco recently, receiving more than 13 million tourists up to the end of September, a very important figure thanks to policies to promote tourism and promotional campaigns such as ‘Morocco, Land of Light’.
Leila Benali also remains in charge of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development to continue implementing the national energy policy based on the long-term commitment to green and renewable energies such as wind, solar and green hydrogen. According to the latest economic report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Morocco aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 45.5% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. All this together with the challenge of making Morocco an international benchmark in the supply of renewable energies, with the great current example of the Xlinks electricity project aimed at meeting 8 % of Britain's electricity needs in the future through the generation of renewable energy on Moroccan territory and its transfer by submarine cable to the British zone.
In other areas, such as social and administrative policies, further development and impetus is needed, and new people are joining the government team to continue implementing the plans envisaged for the Moroccan government.
Government team
King Mohammed VI received the head of the government and the members of the executive in its new version after the structural restructuring of the government on Wednesday in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace in Rabat:
The government team is made up as follows:
Aziz Akhannouch, head of government.
Abdelouafi Laftit, Minister of the Interior.
Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad.
Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice.
Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
Mohammed Hajoui, Secretary General of the Government.
Nadia Fettah, Minister of Economy and Finance.
Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water.
Mohammed Saad Berrada, Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports.
Amine Tahraoui, Minister of Health and Social Protection.
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy.
Ahmed Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests.
Younes Sekkouri Oubbahessou, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills.
Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade.
Fatima-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy.
Azzedine El Midaoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation.
Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development.
Abdessamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics.
Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication.
Naima Ben Yahia, Minister of Solidarity, Social Inclusion and the Family.
Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the National Defence Administration.
Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies.
Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister attached to the Minister of the Economy and Finance, in charge of the budget.
Mustapha Baitas, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesman.
Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of Digital Transition and Administration Reform.
Zakia Driouich, Minister of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Forestry, in charge of Sea Fisheries.
Omar Hejira, Minister of State to the Minister of Industry and Trade, in charge of Foreign Trade.
Adib Benbrahim, Minister of State to the Minister of National Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy, in charge of Housing.
Hicham Sabiry, Minister of State to the Minister for Economic Inclusion, Small Enterprises, Employment and Skills, with responsibility for Employment.
Lahcen Essaadi, Minister of State to the Minister of Tourism, Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, in charge of Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy.
Abdeljebbar Rachidi, Minister of State to the Minister for Solidarity, Social Integration and the Family, in charge of Social Integration.