Morocco's industrial sector maintains stable business mood
The bank's quarterly business survey found that nearly 71 per cent of industrial companies described the business climate as 'normal,' while only 16 per cent considered it 'unfavourable' during the April-June period.
The textile and leather industry showed the strongest confidence, with 89 per cent of companies rating conditions as normal and just 11 per cent viewing them unfavourably.
The chemical and petrochemical sector followed closely, with 75 per cent reporting normal conditions and 10 per cent describing them as difficult.
However, the food processing industry faced more challenges. Only 67 per cent of agribusiness companies called conditions normal, while 22 per cent found them unfavourable. The mechanical and metallurgy sector saw 29 per cent of firms reporting normal conditions and 14 per cent describing difficulties.
Most companies experienced smooth supply chains during the quarter. The survey revealed that 87 per cent of industrial firms found supply conditions normal, while only 13 per cent encountered difficulties.
The chemical and petrochemical sector faced the most supply challenges, with 20 per cent of companies reporting problems.
The food processing industry saw 12 per cent of firms struggle with supplies, while mechanical and metallurgical companies reported a 10 per cent difficulty rate. Textile and leather companies experienced virtually no supply problems.
(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
(anoop.menon@lseg.com)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
African Development Bank and Invest in Africa Sign $850,000 Grant Agreement to Boost Inclusive Green Jobs in Ghana and Senegal
The African Development Bank ( has signed a $850,000 grant agreement with Invest in Africa (IIA), a non-profit organization, to support the MicroGREEN project to provide livelihood opportunities for marginalized and vulnerable groups in Ghana and Senegal. Titled, Strengthening Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities' Micro-Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources, this initiative aims to generate up to 500 green jobs, focusing on the agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation sectors. It is funded through the Bank's Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), alongside an initial $1 million grant commitment by the Bank's Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund to support the project over two years. These targeted sectors hold high potential for climate-resilient employment and require a skilled workforce capable of managing ecosystems and deploying green technologies. Despite their potential, women and youth in Africa remain largely underrepresented in Africa's sustainable growth sectors. Increasing their participation, especially in employment-intensive green industries, could accelerate inclusive and resilient economic development across the continent. The FAPA grant will fund the Capacity Development and Value Chain Enhancement component of the MicroGREEN project. Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in fragile or transitional economies like Ghana and Senegal face limited access to entrepreneurship training and business development services. These constraints are particularly acute for women- and youth-led enterprises and are compounded by high service costs and systemic socio-economic and gender-based barriers. To help address these challenges, the MicroGREEN project will deliver high-quality entrepreneurship training, tailored business development services, and mentorship programs for women, youth, and people with disabilities in agriculture-based sectors. By strengthening capacity and integrating micro enterprises into green value chains, the project seeks to stimulate local job creation and promote inclusive participation in Africa's green economy. Invest in Africa will serve as the implementing partner for the project. As a non-profit organization, IIA is dedicated to supporting African SMEs by facilitating market access, developing skills, and improving access to finance. FAPA is a multi-donor trust fund that supports technical assistance and capacity building initiatives aligned with the African Development Bank's Private Sector Development Strategy. The Government of Japan is FAPA's primary donor. Since its inception, FAPA has financed over 100 projects across more than 38 African countries, committing more than $80 million to improve business environments, deepen financial systems, and foster the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises. FAPA funding allows the Bank to play a more active role in upstream project preparation, thereby strengthening the pipeline of bankable private sector operations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Briefing Highlights: How the African Development Fund is Financing Africa's Future in a Shifting Global Landscape
The African Development Fund, the African Development Bank Group's ( concessional financing arm, was the focus of a special edition of the African Transformation Briefing co-hosted by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) and the Global Strategic Communications Council. Moderated by ACET Communications Manager Belinda Ayamgha, the session was held virtually on 29 July 2025. The media-focused event convened development partners, journalists, and policymakers for an in-depth conversation on the Fund's role in financing economic transformation across 37 low-income African countries, nearly half of which are classified as fragile states. Valerie Dabady, Manager of Resource Mobilization and Partnerships at the African Development Bank, delivered a keynote presentation outlining the Fund's catalytic impact, financing structure, and evolving strategic direction. She underscored the Fund's ability to channel investments in areas such as climate resilience and regional integration through concessional resources tailored to country-specific needs and highlighted plans to expand its resource base. 'With 37 member countries and over $45 billion in investments since inception, the African Development Fund is a cornerstone of Africa's development financing architecture,' Dabady said. 'As we look toward the future, innovations like market borrowing and expanded donor engagement will be critical to increasing our impact.' The briefing also featured a country perspective from Joseph Chanda, Assistant Director for Economic Management and Planning in Zambia's Ministry of Finance. Chanda highlighted how Zambia is leveraging African Development Fund resources to accelerate infrastructure development, build climate resilience, and deepen regional integration. 'ADF financing has played a transformative role in Zambia,' he noted. 'By allocating just 10% of our national resources to the Lobito Corridor, we were able to leverage over $330 million in regional window co-financing. These are the types of investments that build real economies and regional prosperity.' The Lobito Corridor, a strategic rail and road project connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, is among the largest regional integration initiatives currently under preparation with support from the African Development Fund. With a $500 million commitment, the Fund is helping to finance and de-risk the project, which is expected to catalyze investment in logistics, agriculture, and mining, particularly in critical minerals vital to the global energy transition. Chanda also referenced the Kazungula Bridge Project, a regional integration initiative co-financed by the Fund with an investment of $68 million. Completed in 2021, the 923-meter-long bridge spans the Zambezi River, connecting Zambia and Botswana and replacing a long-standing ferry service. The project also includes One-Stop Border Posts on both sides of the bridge, significantly streamlining customs procedures and reducing transit times along the North–South Corridor. It supports intra-African trade, enhances regional logistics efficiency, and has become a key node for trade between Southern and Central Africa. Participants raised questions on donor engagement, capital market access, and the future structure of the Fund. Dabady reaffirmed the Bank's ongoing efforts to attract non-traditional partners and finalize approvals that would enable the Fund to access capital markets. 'The ADF has long flown under the radar,' she said. 'But this is a pivotal moment to raise its profile, demonstrate impact, and unlock greater investment for Africa's most pressing priorities.' The session concluded with a call to action from Kerezhi Sebany, Africa Director for Economic Opportunities at the ONE Campaign. 'We must shine a light on the African Development Fund,' she said. 'When people know what the Fund is and what it delivers, it fosters transparency, trust, and partnership. Now is the time to tell the ADF story and tell it boldly.' The African Development Fund is currently undergoing its 17th replenishment cycle (ADF-17). The next consultative meeting with development partner representatives will be held virtually on 18-19 September 2025. This will be followed by a meeting in Lusaka, Zambia in October, where Zambia government representatives will share results and country-level experiences. The final pledging session for ADF-17 is scheduled for December 2025. Watch the briefing: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Bold Sports seeks strategic partners for on-ground coverage of major global sporting events
Following its widely acclaimed digital coverage of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the 2025 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, Nigeria's fast-rising sports media platform Bold Sports ( is now seeking strategic partners to support its on-ground reporting at four major international sporting competitions between late 2025 and 2026. These include: 2025 AFCON – Morocco (December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026) 2026 FIFA World Cup – USA, Mexico&Canada (June 11 – July 19, 2026) 2026 Commonwealth Games – Glasgow, Scotland (23 July to 2 August 2026) 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup – Berlin, Germany (September 4 – 13, 2026) While Bold Sports was not physically present at 2024 WAFCON and the 2025 Women's AfroBasket in Morocco and Ivory Coast respectively, its digital coverage set it apart, delivering a proudly Nigerian, fan-first experience across platforms complete with match previews, player features, live watch-alongs, vibrant commentary, and behind-the-scenes narratives that resonated with local fans as Nigeria's Super Falcons claimed the title for the 10th time and D'Tigress won their fifth straight title. The results underscored its rising influence: Now, Bold Sports is ready to go even further by being physically present at the upcoming tournaments. This shift to on-site coverage will enable real-time storytelling, richer content, and exclusive access to Team Nigeria and fans, providing a more immersive experience for its growing audience. More importantly, Bold Sports believes it has a national responsibility to tell Nigerian stories on the global stage — up close, with nuance, and with pride. 'We've already proven what we can do from home. But these next competitions are different — they're massive, and our athletes need us there,' CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Bold Sports, Tosin Oluwalowo said. 'The Super Eagles, D'Tigress, our Commonwealth athletes – Nigerians care deeply about these teams. They want to see them, hear from them, feel what they're feeling. We're ready to be there to deliver that. And we're calling on the right partners to make it happen.' The recent historic triumph of D'Tigress at the 2025 FIBA Women's Afrobasket where they became the first African team to win five straight titles has only deepened this emotional connection. Nigerians are eager to follow the team's journey to Berlin 2026, to show support, and to witness them make more history. 'It's not just about the games,' Bold Sports COO and Managing Editor Kelvin Ekerete said. 'Nigerians want to know what their athletes are going through in camp. They want to see the tears, the celebrations, the setbacks, and the triumphs. Being there lets us bring all that home – and that's what we intend to do.' Bold Sports is now in conversations with corporate sponsors, institutions, media brands, and philanthropic partners to support each event individually. Partnership opportunities include travel logistics, branded digital shows, athlete features, tech and equipment support, and fan activations – all with strong brand visibility and access to a growing, engaged Nigerian sports audience. 'We want partners who believe in the value of Nigerian stories,' Oluwalowo added. 'From the pitches of Morocco to the courts of Berlin, this is our time to show up – and with the right support, Bold Sports will be there to capture it all.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Bold Sports. For sponsorship and partnership inquiries: admin@ Call or WhatsApp: +234 704 793 3646 Socials: Instagram: Facebook: X: TikTok: About Bold Sports: Bold Sports, published by Bold Media Innovations&Creative Hub Limited, is Nigeria's leading digital sports media platform, providing high-quality, data-driven coverage of Nigerian athletes at home and abroad. Through video, storytelling, and real-time engagement, Bold Sports connects a passionate community of fans with the moments that matter — from grassroots to global competitions. With a bold, multimedia-first approach, we celebrate Nigeria's sporting excellence and foster national pride across generations and geographies. Motto: Boldly Nigerian. Passionately Sporty.
