Latest news with #Benali
Morocco World
22-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco, Mali Strengthen Environmental Cooperation Through Strategic Dialogue
Rabat – Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, held extensive virtual talks today with her Malian counterpart Mariam Tangara Doumbia. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation to address climate and environmental challenges, advancing joint projects based on solidarity, knowledge transfer, and regional integration. During the meeting, Minister Benali emphasized that under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, Morocco places its relationship with the rest of Africa at the heart of its strategic priorities. She highlighted Morocco's commitment to a new generation of South-South partnerships centered on efficiency, solidarity, and tangible results . Benali also shed light on Morocco's initiatives to promote sustainable development in the region, such as the Royal Atlantic Initiative for the Sahel countries and Mali's active participation in the Sahel Climate Committee, which serves as a crucial platform for regional climate coordination. The Moroccan minister stressed the importance of practical discussions to activate bilateral cooperation, especially in areas of expertise sharing, technology transfer, capacity building, and innovative climate adaptation solutions. She commended Mali's strong commitment to environmental and sustainable development issues, recalling past coordinated efforts, including close cooperation during Morocco's presidency of the UN Environment Assembly. For her part, Minister Tangara Doumbia lauded Morocco's leadership in energy transition, climate financing, and environmental policy governance, recognizing the country's expertise in supporting environmental projects across Africa. She also expressed Mali's keen interest in benefiting from Morocco's experience in renewable energy , waste valorization, and the enhancement of training and capacity-building systems. Tangara Doumbia outlined several pressing challenges facing Mali, notably the energy crisis, solid waste management, water pollution caused by unregulated mining, and rapid degradation of agricultural lands. She emphasized the need for innovative and integrated approaches involving environmental transformation projects and circular economy solutions, particularly converting waste into energy and organic fertilizers to support sustainable agriculture. In response, Minister Benali expressed Morocco's readiness to share its expertise with Mali in these fields and expressed the desire to deepen cooperation in agricultural research, sustainable land management, and the use of renewable energy in agriculture. She pointed to the key role of the OCP Group, through its academic branch with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and its R&D subsidiary InnoVx, in driving research and innovation related to sustainable agriculture and soil management, including desert soils. Both sides agreed on the urgency of accelerating technical discussions between their ministerial teams to establish a cooperation framework on these priorities, aiming to sign an agreement as soon as possible. They also pledged to launch joint field projects focused on waste valorization, climate adaptation, and circular economy development, reaffirming their shared commitment to building a sustainable environmental future anchored in climate sovereignty.
Ya Biladi
22-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco plans major energy expansion ahead of 2030 World Cup
Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali announced Morocco's plan to more than double its electricity generation capacity from 12 to 27 gigawatts by 2030, when the kingdom will co-host the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Speaking at a chemical industry forum in Rabat on Wednesday, Benali revealed that renewable sources will account for 80% of this expansion. According to Bloomberg, the ambitious project will cost 120 billion dirhams ($13 billion) through a combination of public and private investment. The expansion aims to boost water desalination capacity and attract foreign investment in green economy sectors, including carbon-free hydrogen and fertilizer production. Morocco targets contributing 4% of global green hydrogen production by 2030, while state-controlled OCP SA plans to produce 3 million tons of green ammonia by 2027. For the record, the government has signed agreements with UAE-based Taqa and Morocco's Nareva to increase electricity production and develop desalination plants.
Morocco World
13-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline: Feasibility Study, Route Finalized
Rabat – The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project has made significant progress, with key agreements signed, feasibility and engineering studies completed. Plans are also underway to create a special-purpose company and make the final investment decision by the end of 2025. Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, shared the latest developments on the project during a session in the Council of Advisors, the upper house of Morocco's parliament. Speaking at the oral questions session, Benali revealed that the latest ministerial meeting concerning the project had resulted in the approval of an agreement between the participating countries, along with the Host Country Agreement. These agreements mark a significant step forward in the project, which aims to connect Nigeria's vast natural gas reserves to Morocco, and further extend to Europe. The minister explained that the project will proceed in phases, noting that the feasibility study and initial engineering studies have been completed, along with determining the optimal route for the pipeline. The focus currently is on creating a special-purpose company between Morocco and Nigeria to oversee the implementation of the project. This company will be responsible for the final investment decision, which is expected to be made by the end of this year. Read also: UAE To Invest in Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project, which is estimated to cost approximately $25 billion, represents a major driver for economic, industrial, and digital development, Benali says. It is also expected to create thousands of job opportunities and serve as a key factor in transforming Morocco into a primary energy transit hub linking Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic basin. One of the key components of this project is the creation of a national gas infrastructure. The Moroccan government launched a call for interest in April 2025 to develop infrastructure that will connect the northern regions of Morocco, including the port of Nador, to cities such as Kenitra, Mohammedia, and eventually to Dakhla. This expansion will help integrate the national network with the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline. The pipeline itself will span approximately 6,000 kilometers, passing through several African countries, with an annual capacity of 15 to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas. It is expected to provide access to energy for about 400 million people across 13 countries, dramatically improving energy access in the region. Tags: gas projectMorocco Nigeria
Morocco World
10-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Expands Marine Conservation with Eight New Protected Areas
Rabat – Morocco has officially established eight new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along its Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity and ecosystems. The announcement was made by Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, made the announcement during the opening of the 8th edition of the Forum de la Mer in El Jadida on Thursday. Speaking at the forum, Benali reaffirmed Morocco's engagement under the new global biodiversity framework, with an ambitious national goal of designating 10% of the country's maritime territory as protected by 2030. 'Protecting 30% of marine areas could increase fish biomass by 500%, offering greater security to the fishing industry while significantly enhancing added value for local communities,' Benali explained, emphasizing the long-term benefits of sustainable ocean management. Strategic Reforms Under Royal Leadership Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has launched a comprehensive series of reforms aimed at preserving marine and coastal ecosystems. 'Morocco has implemented, in close consultation with stakeholders, a set of strategic, legal, institutional, and operational measures,' said Benali. She also highlighted that the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (SNDD) now places marine conservation at the core of public policy. The strategy acts as a framework to integrate sustainability principles across territorial and sectoral development plans. Benali welcomed the progress of initiatives such as the 'Plastic-Free Coast' plan, which complements the National Emergency Plan against Accidental Marine Pollution. Read also: Morocco Aims to Become Regional Leader in Renewable Energy, Strategic Minerals These combined efforts have led to a measurable improvement in beach water quality, with compliance rates rising to 93% in 2024, up from 88% in 2021. Additionally, beach waste collection has seen a notable reduction of more than 21%. Beyond regulations, Benali stressed the need for collective action. 'These concrete achievements highlight the importance of collective action driven by awareness, education, and the ongoing mobilization of all actors, institutions, local authorities, civil society, citizens, and especially Moroccan youth and grassroots associations,' she said. Held under the theme 'The Sea, Future of the Earth,' the Forum de la Mer runs until May 11 in El Jadida. The event serves as a platform for dialogue and co-creation, gathering researchers, experts, artists, NGOs, companies, and institutional representatives to address the pressing challenges facing oceans and coastal environments. The opening ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Pascale Trimbach, French Consul General in Casablanca, and Mhamed Atfaoui, Governor of the Province of El Jadida. Tags: leila benaliMarinesmorocco marines
Morocco World
07-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
UAE To Invest in Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project
Rabat – After interest from the US, the UAE is reportedly contributing to co-funding a $25 billion project to build the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline. Minister of Energy Leila Benali announced the news recently, noting that the project won support from different international organizations, as well as the UAE. 'As for finance, the project has won the support of IDB, OPEC Fund, EIB, and the UAE…it will pass through 15 African countries,' she said. On Tuesday, the minister emphasized that Morocco is on a steady path to becoming a regional hub for renewable energy. She stressed that Morocco is focusing on developing renewable energy, localizing technology, and building local industrial supply chains that create jobs. Minister Benali added that the country has strong potential to produce green hydrogen products such as methanol and ammonia, which could power international shipping fleets at lower costs than liquified natural gas. Morocco has been working to strengthen and diversify its gas resources for years. In April, the country announced the start of an action plan, expressing interest in launching a tender to develop the first phase of the natural gas terminal in Nador. As part of its strategies to reinforce energy assets, Morocco is also working with Nigeria on the mega $25 billion gas pipeline project that seeks to connect at least 13 African countries, providing them with gas. Morocco is set to be home to 1,672 kilometers of the pipeline, which will also connect the Nigerian gas to Europe. In addition to the UAE, the US has also reportedly expressed interest in investing in the project. Voice of Naija quoted Nigeria's Minister of Finance, Wale Edum, in April, noting that he held a meeting with Nigeria's Central Bank Governor Olayemi Gardoso and the director of international economic relations, as well as with representatives from the US State Department. 'Key areas of interest include U.S. interest in investments in Nigeria's natural gas sector, particularly the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline, given the country's vast gas reserves,' the minister said. Tags: nigeria morocconigeria morocco pipeline
