Whether it’s the successful acceleration of key industries that range from aeronautics to outsourcing or a smart strategy that has seen the kingdom establish itself as a competitive low-carbon production platform, Morocco is reaping the rewards of long-term vision. 

The result? Morocco is a country that is firing on all fronts – and refusing to rest on its laurels. “We want to make sure that there are no barriers for entrepreneurship,” says Mohcine Jazouli , minister of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies. “And that every dream project comes true.” 

Fes is home to the University of al-Qarawiyyin, an institution founded in 859 which many believe to be the oldest higher education centre in the world. The Fes-Meknes region is home to a total of five universities and 266 vocational training institutions, embodying Morocco’s commitment to establishing a national workforce that is both well trained and highly educated. Across the country, specialised schools and centres are ensuring that this approach only continues.

The Moroccan capital of Rabat is the country’s political centre. It is from here that the governmental departments such as the Ministry of Investment, Convergence and the Evaluation of Public Policies (MICEPP) work with affiliated agencies and partners to deliver on long-term strategy. The country’s New Development Model, a plan established in 2022 by King Mohammed VI that looks to kickstart a brand new chapter of investment and evolution, will serve as a roadmap to 2035. 

Home to automotive factories, pharmaceutical firms, technology centres and more, Casablanca is Morocco’s industrial axis. The aerospace sector is one of the primary examples of Morocco’s commitment to developing and growing key industries. The sector is home to a cluster of more than 140 subcontractors – many of which are based in Casablanca – that are supporting leading international operators such as Boeing, Airbus, Safran and Spirit AeroSystems.

The story of Morocco’s economic thrust is a narrative that its government wants to communicate to the rest of the world. But that doesn’t mean that tourism success stories should be ignored. While Morocco is keen to stress its business credentials to potential investors, it also wants to shine a light on the quality of life that they can experience here. Cities such as Marrakech, with its famously warm approach to hospitality, and Tangier, with its proximity to Europe, are a good place to start. 

When it comes to Morocco’s new era, every region has a role to play. While the likes of Casablanca and Rabat often enjoy the most focus, cities such as Agadir, located in the Souss-Massa region, are also doing their bit. According to data from the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Souss-Massa leads Morocco’s fruit and vegetable exports with an agricultural and horticultural area that covers 453,445 hectares. 

A significant chunk of Morocco’s proposition to global investors is its status as a gateway to the African continent. But in Tangier, Europe is only around eight miles away – in the form of Gibraltar. Tanger-Med Port, the fourth most efficient port in the world, perfectly captures the unique proposition that the country is able to offer. It is a strategically placed, increasingly connected hub that European neighbours can utilise as a shipping centre and “near-shore” destination.