Assahafa.com
“Under the High Guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is proving that social ambition and economic credibility are not mutually exclusive,” amid a global environment marked by multiple crises and the weakening of traditional economic reference points, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch said Tuesday in Davos, Switzerland.
“One does not build a geopolitical destiny on a fragile society,” Akhannouch stressed in an address to participants at the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), during a session moderated by WEF Co-Chair André Hoffmann.
He noted that the Kingdom, “under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, chose first to protect, then to undertake deep reforms, and to project itself forward with confidence,” by establishing a robust social shield to counter the post-Covid shock. Morocco mobilized more than $13 billion to stabilize prices of basic goods and $1.7 billion to protect households from rising water and electricity tariffs.
This approach, he said, helped reduce inflation from over 6% in 2023 to below 1% in 2024 and 2025, while sustaining growth close to 5% and steadily lowering both the fiscal deficit and public debt.
“These indicators matter because only a strong and resilient economy can finance and sustain this government’s flagship initiative, the Royal Project of the Social State,” Akhannouch explained.
Under the High Royal Guidance, Morocco extended mandatory health insurance to more than 32 million citizens and launched direct social assistance benefiting nearly 4 million families. These measures were accompanied by an unprecedented budgetary effort in health and education, with funding for both sectors rising by nearly 20%.
“Protecting without transforming would be an unfinished promise,” the Head of Government said, highlighting a comprehensive overhaul of economic fundamentals that has been welcomed by international partners.
On confidence and financial integrity, he recalled that Morocco exited the FATF gray list and related European listings, and regained “investment grade” status from major credit rating agencies.
These achievements reflect strict fiscal discipline, sustained tax reform, stronger governance of public spending, and enhanced transparency, he said.
In parallel, implementation of the Investment Charter accelerated productive investment, lifting gross FDI inflows to a record level of more than $5 billion in 2025, despite a global contraction in capital flows, Akhannouch added.
Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic, Morocco is also consolidating its role as a major logistics hub, with Tanger Med ranking among the world’s leading ports. The country is emerging as a key player in decarbonization, with more than 46% of installed electricity capacity sourced from renewables by the end of 2025, alongside flagship projects in solar, wind, and green hydrogen, he said.
The Head of Government emphasized the importance of political clarity for long-term investment, noting that “2025 will remain a pivotal year” for the Kingdom, particularly following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which “sends an unequivocal signal to the international community: Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative for the Southern Provinces is recognized as the basis for negotiations.”
Turning to the co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, Akhannouch described it as “a symbol that is at once sporting, economic, and civilizational,” stressing that “far from being an end in itself, the World Cup is a milestone in a broader transformation strategy.”
In the ensuing exchange with Hoffmann, he pointed to AFCON 2025, which he said illustrated Morocco’s ability to deliver a “world-class” organization of “one of the finest football events,” marked by a welcoming population and “a final worthy of a World Cup.”
He recalled that the 2030 World Cup, beyond sports infrastructure, is conceived as an “accelerator of development,” citing ongoing investments in rail, airport, and road networks, as well as in health and education, to which Moroccans are proud to contribute.
Akhannouch also highlighted the “unprecedented” decision to co-host the World Cup with Spain and Portugal, underscoring the advantages of geographic proximity, a shared time zone, and a Mediterranean climate.
For his part, the WEF Co-Chair praised Moroccans’ passion for football as a decisive factor in the event’s success and in making sport a unifying force across both shores of the Mediterranean.
He also commended Morocco for its stability under the leadership of His Majesty the King, its continuous modernization, and its capacity to build “a functional social state,” describing the country as “fascinating” and “attractive to investors.”
Source: map
