Spotlight | Morocco, Spain
Madrid and Rabat negotiate resumption of trade in Spanish enclaves

Morocco
Morocco's embassy in Madrid hires Brussels lobbyist for its farmers

The consultancy firm Acento Public Affairs has been hired by Morocco's embassy in Madrid to defend the interests of its farmers in Brussels. They are heavily dependent on trade with the EU to which Spain is a gateway.

Morocco
ONCF postpones tender for 168 new trains

Morocco's state-owned ONCF rail company has pushed back the submission deadline for the megaproject until July. France's Alstom and Spain's CAF and Talgo are all in the running, and the Spanish firms stand to gain from the delay.

Morocco
Why China's BYD put the brakes on electric vehicle production plans

Despite the signing of a partnership in the presence of Mohammed VI in 2017, the major Chinese group BYD has not carried out its plans to set up a series of electric vehicle production plants in Morocco.

The New Guard
Madagascar, Morocco, Tanzania

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Madagascar Ketakandriana Rafitoson targets transparency

Morocco Ali Moutaïb, spin doctor on the up and up

Tanzania Geophrey Tenganamba, agriculture 2.0

Morocco, Niger
Nigerien prime minister tries to reboot Moroccan investment

During a visit to Morocco in February, Ali Lamine Zeine discussed the Niamey corniche project with the chairman of the company promoting it, YMMY Finance Holding. He also talked to his opposite number, Aziz Akhannouch, about bilateral cooperation.

Morocco
Poultry baron Driss Chaouni Benabdallah shores up his position in agriculture

Zalar Holding poultry firm boss Driss Chaouni Benabdallah is extending his agricultural activities via his holding company CB Fruit Group. Since 2017, he's been involved in arboriculture and avocados along with businessman Ali Berbich.

North Africa
EU Maghreb delegation looks to turn page on Qatargate by choosing a new chairperson

The European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Maghreb Countries, several members of which are concerned by the alleged corruption scandal involving Qatar and Morocco, hopes to restore its image by electing a new chairperson.

Morocco
New EU visit to Rabat in midst of Moroccogate

Just three weeks after the visit of the European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell, the European neighbourhood and enlargement commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi, is due in Rabat at a time of very strained relations between the EU and Morocco.

Morocco, Spain
Navantia to start building Avante patrol vessel despite Moroccan-Spanish tensions

The mega-contract awarded to the Spanish shipbuilder by the Moroccan navy has survived the tensions arising from the hospitalisation of the Polisario leader Brahim Ghali in Spain back in April.