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Morocco World
5 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco's 2030 World Cup: A Green Hydrogen Game-Changer
Morocco's co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal represents not only a significant sporting achievement but also a historic opportunity to highlight the North African country's commitment to sustainable development . By harnessing green hydrogen, Morocco can turn this global event into a catalyst for its energy transition, establishing itself as a leader in clean energy and a center for green innovation. Building on a Renewable Energy Legacy Morocco has established itself as a regional leader in renewable energy, highlighted by significant projects such as the Noor solar complex in Ouarzazate and wind farms in Tarfaya and Midelt. These initiatives have increased the country's renewable capacity to over 4,000 MW, with an ambitious goal of 52% renewable energy by 2030. The development of green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using renewable electricity, represents the next frontier in this sector. It provides a clean solution for decarbonizing transportation and industry, and ammonia production, which are key areas essential to global sustainability. With abundant solar and wind resources and proximity to Europe, Morocco is well-positioned to become a major supplier of green hydrogen. The country's 2021 National Green Hydrogen Roadmap aims to capture 4% of the global market by 2050. A Sustainable World Cup The logistical demands of the 2030 World Cup, including stadium operations, transportation, and fan accommodations, present significant environmental challenges. Morocco can address these challenges by adopting green hydrogen solutions. Renewable-Powered Infrastructure : Solar and wind energy, paired with hydrogen storage, can power stadiums and fan zones, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. For example, stadiums in Casablanca and Rabat could showcase smart grid technologies integrated with hydrogen storage systems. Clean Mobility : Hydrogen refueling stations in host cities like Casablanca and Marrakech could support zero-emission vehicles for teams, officials, and spectators, demonstrating practical applications of green hydrogen. Green Fan Zones : Solar-powered hydrogen facilities could create sustainable fan experiences, highlighting Morocco's clean energy capabilities to millions of visitors. These efforts will not only reduce the event's carbon footprint but also establish a global benchmark for sustainable mega-events, aligning with FIFA's increasing focus on environmental responsibility. Igniting innovation and engagement The World Cup offers a unique platform to engage Morocco's youth, universities, and startups in the green hydrogen revolution. National initiatives like hackathons and competitions on 'Green Hydrogen for Sports' or 'Smart Stadium Technologies' can spark innovation. Organizations such as Enactus Morocco and UM6P Ventures can nurture these ideas, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of green entrepreneurship. For instance, the Green Energy Park in Benguerir could host innovation challenges, encouraging young engineers to develop solutions for energy storage and electrolysis. By empowering the next generation, Morocco can transform the World Cup into a springboard for long-term sustainable growth, creating a legacy that extends beyond 2030. A Global Economic Opportunity The World Cup's global spotlight can boost Morocco's appeal to international investors. By highlighting operational green hydrogen projects, Morocco can: Attract partnerships with European and Asian companies looking for decarbonized supply chains. Strengthen bilateral agreements, such as those with Germany and Portugal, to secure funding and technology transfers. Improve R&D in electrolysis and energy storage to create high-skilled jobs. In a world searching for alternatives to fossil fuels, Morocco's strategic location and renewable potential position it as a key player in Europe's green hydrogen supply chain, with exports expected to reach 10 TWh by 2030. Turning Vision into Reality Achieving this vision requires action. Morocco must accelerate investments in hydrogen infrastructure, train a skilled workforce, and incorporate green solutions into World Cup planning. The event can act as a 'living laboratory' to test and expand these technologies, building on the momentum of existing projects like the Green H2 Cluster in Dakhla. The 2030 World Cup offers Morocco a chance to make a global impact for sustainability. By adopting green hydrogen, the kingdom can demonstrate a modern, innovative, and eco-friendly identity. This isn't just about hosting a tournament; it's about creating a greener future, inspiring the next generation, and establishing Morocco as a leader in the worldwide energy transition. Tags: FIFA 2030green hydrogenMorocco
Morocco World
12-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Enactus Morocco's SIF 2025: Youth-Driven Innovation Lights the Way to a Greener Future
Casablanca – A spark in Casablanca this week, and it's not just from the July sun. It's the spark of a new generation of young Moroccans turning sustainable ideas into powerful realities. At the Grand Mogador Hotel on Wednesday, the semi-finals of the 6th edition of the Sustainable Innovation Fest (SIF) unfolded with sharp ambition, entrepreneurial fire, and a promise: Morocco's future is not waiting, it's building. The event , organized by Enactus Morocco in partnership with SPARK as part of the EU-funded Green Forward initiative, gathered students from across the kingdom, 12 finalist teams out of 145 clubs, to compete for a chance to represent Morocco at the Enactus World Cup in Thailand. A marriage of vision and action to inspire change From the hotel lobby to the conference hall, the air was alive. Young entrepreneurs networked, practiced pitches, and swapped ideas, while inside, juries were briefed on their mission. The MC laid it out plainly: 'Innovation is not invention, it's action. Judge not just what was said, but what was done and what will surely be done.' He reminded jurors that Enactus doesn't interfere in projects but fosters growth through guidance. 'Be direct. Be fair. Push them to become great leaders.' And greatness followed. In League 1, FST Mohammedia opened with a vision to tackle student housing challenges through a three-pronged innovation: 'Aji Nkriw,' an affordable housing solution, 'CoTalib,' a student-centered consulting service, and 'NutriVital,' a line of sustainable snacks and eco-bags for youth. FP Larache followed with a powerful initiative: 'Tijwal,' a tourism platform reconnecting rural Morocco with visibility and economic opportunity. Their second project increased the market value of Moroccan salt production, raising prices from 1,000 MAD/ton ($100/ton) to 2,500 MAD/ton ($250/ton), and from 2.5 MAD/kg ($0.25/kg) to 92 MAD/kg ($9/kg), to benefit local craftsmen. But the spotlight belonged to ENSA Tangier, whose seamless presentation highlighted four distinct projects. From transforming textile waste into new crafts and upcycling fig leaves and flowers into teas, to a mental health platform rooted in social inclusion, the team embodied cross-sectoral sustainability, from circular economy to psychology. From the audience, students expressed admiration. 'Each team had a unique energy,' Yasmin, a Moroccan high schooler, told Morocco World News. 'The passion, the synergy, the presentations… unforgettable.' Her friend Marwa agreed: 'The way they pushed each other, the public speaking, it was beautiful to watch.' A Saudi college student in attendance echoed the sentiment: 'The organization was amazing. I was particularly inspired by the team tackling water pollution and the other pushing for economic growth in rural areas by supporting small companies there.' After a lunch break, the festival's tone shifted to reflection and collaboration with the Agora de l'Innovation, a cozy space designed for connection. Couches, stands of former Enactus projects, game stations, and a DJ playing in the background made it feel more like a campus than a competition. But in the heart of the room, critical conversations were taking place. Three roundtables focused on green tech, carbon footprint reduction, and seizing sustainability opportunities. 'Don't wait to be told what to do' The Agora's keynote came from Saad Abid, founder of Bahri Association, who delivered an emotional and action-driven speech. He began with the story of Mouad, a young boy who died after stepping on a tuna can at the beach, 'A victim of our pollution, our carelessness,' Saad expressed. He then challenged the youth in the room: 'Don't wait to be told what to do. Push for teaching kids to vote and take initiative in any way. Build Morocco. Build Moroccans.' 'Over 27 million people will die by 2050 due to climate change, and nearly a billion will be displaced,' warned Saad Abid. 'We must fight climate injustice, and stand for humanitarian causes like the Palestinian struggle. Build Morocco. Build Moroccans.' With those words, he ignited a room full of young changemakers. In a Q&A, Saad told MWN: 'Choose a field you love. Do it for free. For a cause. Keep doing it. Let your added value grow into purpose.' He closed with: 'Even if you fail, try. Even if they punch you in the face. Just start. Do it with intention. Be so great, others around you become great.' Gen Z's quest: clean and impactful Later, Jihane Maklouki, Marketing and Communications Head at Flormar, brought a corporate lens to sustainability in her speech. 'Gen Z is a clean generation,' she said. 'They look for clean products, clean lives, and clean impact. When we launched our limited edition green collection, it resonated so much we had to make it permanent.' Her advice? 'Be a change ambassador. Represent the change. Inspire the change.' As the event wrapped up with a live podcast and final roundtables, one thing was certain, this event wasn't only about the competition, it was rather a greater movement. As one participant from Enactus FSJES Ain Chok told MWN: 'I truly don't see this as a normal competition , it's one that pushes me to grow and develop my entrepreneurial spirit. Enactus taught me to believe in my ideas, my self-worth, and what I can do for society.' SIF 2025 is a stage for solutions. A classroom for collaboration. And a mirror reflecting a new Morocco led by the very people shaping it.
Morocco World
09-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Enactus Morocco Launches Sustainable Innovation Fest 2025
Enactus Morocco kicked off its sixth annual Sustainable Innovation Fest (SIF) yesterday in Casablanca, bringing together hundreds of student entrepreneurs to celebrate innovation and compete for the chance to represent Morocco at the global Enactus World Cup in Thailand. The three-day festival, co-financed by the European Union and organized in partnership with Spark and other collaborators, opened with a focus on social entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation. 'Today [Tuesday] we are launching the Sustainable Innovation Fest 2025,' said Saif Eddine Laalej, Enactus Morocco's Operations Manager. 'During the next three days, we will celebrate youth, celebrate the Moroccan entrepreneurship and innovation, and also host many different panels, live podcasts, many Agora activities under the Green Forward program.' The opening day featured a panel discussion on green innovation, a live podcast session, and the first round of student team presentations as competitors pitched their sustainable business ideas to panels of expert judges. Green technology at focus The festival's focus on environmental innovation aligns with Morocco's broader economic strategy and the interests of its young population. Salma Karim, Head of Human Capital and Innovation at the Agency of Digital Development, participated in a panel during the opening day's green technology panel. 'Today was the first day of the Sustainable Innovation Fest organized by Enactus,' Karim explained. 'It was an occasion to discuss during a panel the opportunities of green tech and its impact on the Moroccan economy.' Karim pointed out the natural connection between Moroccan youth and environmental technology. 'We highlighted the fact that Morocco's youth is very interested in technology and environment and it's a great occasion to catalyze this interest in terms of concrete business opportunity for the Moroccan youth,' she said. Student teams present water conservation solutions Among the competing teams, several focused on addressing Morocco's water challenges through innovative approaches. Jihane Amira from Enactus FSJES Sale presented, along with her team, the Aqua Charbon project, which addresses water conservation issues. 'Today we assisted the first day of SIF 2025. It was all great,' Amira said. 'First of all, we presented our project Aqua Charbon that related to the competition. Moroccan water race. It was great. It was great competition. The competitors were great too.' Her team will advance to the semi-finals, which take place on the second day of the festival. 'Tomorrow [Wednesday] will be the semi-finals, and I hope this year we'll take the champion with us,' she noted. Another water-focused project came from Jaber Yassine, a finance student at the Polydisciplinary Faculty in Larache. His team developed Bio Remede, also focused on water preservation. 'Me and my friends and my team, we have an idea called Biomed and it's about preserving water,' Yassine explained. 'We are honored to reach this stage of this competition and we thank all the staff and Enactus Morocco for this.' Beyond competition: learning and development For many participants, the festival represents more than just a competition. Yassine pointed out the developmental value of the experience. 'It's not about winning, even I know it's a competition, but it's not about winning more than reaching this level and show to everyone how we can reach with our ideas and our developing ideas,' he said. The opening day's programming reinforced this educational aspect. Amira commended the quality of the panel discussions and podcast sessions. 'The first of the day had the panel. They were so great. We learned so much, so much information with a lot of experienced people. And then we had the podcast. We had the pleasure of attending the podcast with Mr. Yassine and his guest. It was all great.' Road to Thailand The competition will culminate with the national finals, where one team will earn the right to represent Morocco at the Enactus World Cup in Thailand. Laalej noted that the festival will determine 'who will represent Morocco at the International Nexus World Cup in Thailand during the national Morocco finals.' As the festival continues through July 10, participants will engage in additional panels, workshops, and the Innovation Agora, where teams can showcase their projects to a broader audience. The event demonstrates Enactus Morocco's commitment to fostering entrepreneurial thinking among the country's university students while addressing pressing environmental and social challenges. The opening day's success suggests that Morocco's young entrepreneurs are ready to tackle complex challenges through innovative business solutions, positioning themselves as leaders in the country's transition toward a more sustainable economy. Tags: EnactusEnactus MoroccoMoroccoSustainable innovation
Morocco World
07-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Enactus Morocco to Celebrate Young Moroccans' Innovating for Sustainable Development
Rabat — Starting tomorrow, Enactus Morocco will organize the sixth edition of the Sustainable Innovation Fest (SIF), the country's premier event dedicated to social entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation. The three-day festival, taking place from July 8-10 in Casablanca, brings together over 145 university clubs, hundreds of young entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and institutional partners under one roof. More than just an event Not only a typical conference, SIF celebrates the concrete impact that Moroccan youth create through their innovative projects. Morocco's economic capital is set to be a hub where creativity, social innovation, and civic engagement converge to serve the common good. Enactus Morocco Executive Director Mahdi Caf said that 'SIF embodies a strong conviction: Moroccan youth don't wait for solutions — they create them.' Moroccan youth, he added, 'innovate, start businesses, and transform today's challenges into opportunities to build a more just, sustainable, and supportive future.' A packed program This year's edition features an ambitious agenda that includes several key components. These include the National Enactus Competitions that involve semi-finals and the grand national finale, which will select Morocco's team to represent the country at the 2025 Enactus World Cup in Thailand. Meanwhile, expert panel discussions will bring change leaders, committed entrepreneurs, researchers, and decision-makers together to tackle current challenges in sustainable development and social innovation. Innovation Agora is another component set to provide an interactive platform to feature inspiring projects, concrete solutions, and initiatives led by Moroccan youth. Moroccan The sixth edition will wrap up with a closing ceremony to celebrate the achievements and recognition of talented, engaged youth. Green economy at focus The 2025 edition places a special focus on the green economy, providing the ground to address Morocco's environmental and economic challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to attend animated debates, practical workshops, innovative demonstrations, and interactive activities focused on recycling, circular economy, and eco-design. The organizers assert that these sessions offer the public a unique opportunity to discover innovative solutions created by proactive young people, while celebrating a generation that takes concrete action today to build a sustainable, fair, and environmentally responsible future. National mobilization The SIF 2025 is set to provide a common ground for prestigious juries, experienced mentors, passionate volunteers, and committed institutions, carrying a common ambition: to display and amplify the local impact of young people who carry hope and innovation. The festival demonstrates how Morocco's youth refuse to wait for change — they create it themselves, employing their entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking to transform challenges into opportunities for a better tomorrow. The three-day event promises to celebrate, inspire, and drive this sustainable change across Morocco, positioning the country's young innovators as leaders in the global movement toward sustainable development. Tags: EnactusEnactus MoroccoInnovationMoroccosustainable development
Morocco World
07-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Enactus Morocco Launches ‘Green Forward' Program to Boost Green Transition
Rabat – Enactus Morocco has unveiled the 'Green Forward' program aimed at strengthening organizations that support green businesses. As part of its commitment to accelerate Morocco's shift toward sustainability, this EU-funded initiative hopes to supply business support organizations with the required tools to help micro, small, and medium enterprises adopt environmentally friendly practices. The program is set to tackle challenges these support structures currently face, including limited resources, difficult access to green financing, and the need for better organization to provide effective assistance to businesses transitioning to sustainability. 'Green Forward will provide essential resources and create a framework that allows support organizations to better guide small businesses through ecological transition,' said a statement from Enactus Morocco, which is implementing the program in partnership with international NGO SPARK. The initiative focuses on four key areas. It is poised to enhance the capabilities of business support organizations, developing practical tools and tailored training. It also hopes to create a platform for networking opportunities between different stakeholders, as well as draft policy recommendations to integrate green economy principles into public policy. Morocco isn't alone in this effort. Green Forward is part of a broader initiative spanning seven countries in the Southern Neighborhood region, including Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, all working toward promoting a green and circular economy. Read also: Report Finds 'Significant Gaps' in Morocco's Transition to Green Energy Enactus Morocco has issued a call for interest to Moroccan business support organizations, offering them the chance to enhance their skills, expand their impact, and contribute to a more sustainable Moroccan economy. Interested organizations can apply by completing an application form by April 10. With over 20 years of experience supporting young entrepreneurs, Enactus Morocco has trained more than 120,000 young people and supports approximately 600 high-impact projects annually. It has also facilitated the development of about 100 innovative and sustainable startups since 2015. SPARK, the international NGO overseeing the broader initiative, brings 30 years of experience working with youth in fragile regions affected by conflict. The NGO focuses on creating high-impact jobs for young people, including women and refugees, by improving access to higher education, internships, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Tags: Enactus MoroccoGreen Businesses in MoroccoGreen forwardMorocco
