Latest news with #Lekjaa
Morocco World
21-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Pledges More Sports Infrastructure Projects as AFCON, World Cup Approach
Rabat – President of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) Fouzi Lekjaa emphasized the importance of organizing sporting events to boost the country's economic development. Lekjaa made his remarks on Tuesday as part of the 2025 Global Growth Conference (GGC), where he participated in a panel to discuss Morocco's efforts in upgrading the country's infrastructure and development programs in anticipation of major sports events like the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 World Cup. During the event, Lekjaa reviewed the major events Morocco will host between 2025 and 2030, including the WAFCON, which will take place from July 5-26, the FIFA U17 Women World Cup between October and November and the AFCON from December 21 to January 18. 'Morocco will continue to host major sporting events leading up to the 2030 World Cup,' he said, adding that similar major events require the upgrading of road, airport, and football infrastructure. For Lekjaa, who is also the minister delegate for the budget, similar projects represent investment opportunities worth billions of dollars. The opportunities also cover other sectors like tourism and accommodation capacity among others. 'In this investment puzzle, we have a menu of Inclusive projects,' he said, noting that the plans also include different specialties and professions, which will enable all economic operators, including startups and multinational companies to have a share in the added value generated. 'Beyond the importance of funding, this will allow for groupings and surgeries between companies and the business world,' Lekjaa added. The minister also talked about Morocco's World Cup preparation campaign, noting that the North African country considers the global tournament as an African world cup, from which 'we will take the opportunity to show that youth on both sides of the Mediterranean can exchange, coexist, and work together.' Bouchra Hajij, president of the Royal Moroccan Volleyball Federation and the African Volleyball Confederation also commented on the country's efforts to boost the development of the sports sector, noting that this domain is an important lever for economic development. She said that sport is also a 'vector for social cohesion and economic and cultural development.'
Morocco World
05-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Ties Green Procurement to National Sustainable Development Vision
Rabat – Public procurement in Morocco no longer revolves solely around budgets and contracts as it now also reflects the country's broader ambition to build a more sustainable future. Speaking at the Climate Smart Public Procurement Conference in Rabat, Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate for the Budget, described green procurement as a central lever in Morocco's sustainable development strategy. For Lekjaa, this approach sends a strong message: 'We align public spending with our long-term goals. When we choose where to invest, we are shaping the kind of future we want.' He stressed that Morocco treats green procurement not as a niche policy but as a practical tool that touches energy, transport, the circular economy, and social inclusion. It speaks to state accountability and the state's ability to guide private-sector practices. 'We want the state to lead by example,' he said. 'When we prioritize sustainability in public purchasing, we open space for innovation, we encourage local entrepreneurship, and we help reshape the market.' Lekjaa also pointed to recent reforms in public finance that push the green agenda to move forward. These include new fiscal incentives to support eco-responsible behavior, the issuance of sovereign green bonds, and procurement policies that take both social and environmental value into account. Read also: Report Finds 'Significant Gaps' in Morocco's Transition to Green Energy International partners voiced their support for this direction. Nadir Mohamed, Regional Director for Prosperity at the World Bank, noted the potential ripple effect of climate-smart procurement across the region. 'In MENA countries, public procurement represents about 18% of GDP. Redirecting this toward sustainable goods and infrastructure could accelerate the transition to a green economy,' he said. 'It's a major opportunity, not just for environmental impact but for economic competitiveness.' He laid out the World Bank's plan to help countries in the region adopt green procurement, focusing on three areas: regulation, capacity-building, and innovation through pilot projects. For the French Development Agency (AFD), the path forward involves concrete support. Its Morocco Director, Quiterie Pincent, said the agency backs high-impact projects while helping local institutions integrate environmental goals into their procurement strategies. 'We developed tools that help public institutions assess the climate impact of their purchases. This turns climate ambition into measurable outcomes,' she said. 'We also believe in sharing knowledge across borders. Countries don't move forward in isolation.' Senior officials from the Islamic Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the New Development Bank also joined the conversation, showing the momentum behind a regional push for greener economies. Morocco sees green public procurement not as a policy add-on but as a foundation for future governance. By shaping the market through public demand, the state claims a stronger role in writing the story of environmental and social progress. Tags: green Moroccogreen procurementsustainablesustainable Morocco
Morocco World
02-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Fouzi Lekjaa: Butane Gas Costs Morocco Over MAD 15 Billion a Year
Rabat – The Moroccan government continues to face a heavy financial burden from subsidizing butane gas, revealed Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget. The country spends over MAD 15 billion every year to support the price of this essential household fuel. Each 12-kilogram gas cylinder receives an average subsidy of MAD 62. Despite the high cost, Lekjaa confirmed that the government does not intend to raise the price of butane gas. He made the statement in response to a written question from the parliament. He recalled that recent increases in the price of 3 kg and 12 kg gas cylinders, by MAD 2.5 and 10 respectively, were only applied after the launch of a new direct social assistance program in December 2023. The government allowed a four-month transition period to help limit the impact on low-income families. Lekjaa said that data shows that the effect of the price increase has been small. According to the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the added monthly cost for poor households is no more than MAD 18 per month. That amount represents 3.6% of the minimum monthly financial aid of MAD 500 given under the new system. Lekjaa stated that the direct aid system represents a major change in Morocco's approach to supporting families. Instead of giving general subsidies to everyone, which the government says is costly and ineffective, the new method provides money directly to families based on their needs, he argued. The government allocated MAD 25 billion to help 3.9 million families. Monthly support ranges from MAD 500 to more than MAD 1,500, depending on each family's situation. Alongside this, the government is also working to fight inflation, especially in agriculture. It has spent MAD 20 billion to support the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 farming seasons. A new emergency plan is also being prepared for the 2024–2025 season to ensure food is available at affordable prices.
Ya Biladi
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Morocco 2025 will host «best» AFCON yet, says CAF President
The next Men's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will be «the best» celebration of African football, said the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe. «The men's AFCON is the biggest competition in African football. The next edition, which Morocco will host, will be the best celebration of football on the continent», Motsepe stated on Wednesday, upon his arrival at Rabat-Salé Airport to attend the Women's Futsal AFCON final between Morocco and Tanzania. Regarding the upcoming Women's AFCON, scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year, the CAF President said this edition «will be a great success». Expressing his delight at being back in Morocco, «a land for all Africans and all those who love football», Motsepe reaffirmed his «utmost trust» in Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), who was recently appointed CAF's First Vice-President. Highlighting Lekjaa's key role in advancing African football and his deep passion for the game, Motsepe stated: «Together with Mr. Lekjaa, the other vice-presidents, and CAF member associations, we can elevate African football—whether at the level of national teams, clubs, women's football, or futsal». Using Morocco as an example, he also emphasized the importance of partnerships between governments and football federations in every African country to support the continent-wide development of the sport. Motsepe praised Moroccans' strong enthusiasm for football, which he said contributes significantly to the success of competitions organized in the Kingdom. He expressed his excitement to attend the final of the inaugural Women's Futsal AFCON, scheduled for Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
eNCA
26-04-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
CAF appoints Moroccan Lekjaa as first vice-president
ACCRA - Moroccan Fouzi Lekjaa was elected first vice-president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at an executive committee meeting in Accra on Saturday. His selection will be widely welcomed in the continent as the 54-year-old boasts a successful record in Morocco, especially in creating football infrastructure. Born in the eastern city of Berkane, close to the border with Algeria, he is also a member of the FIFA Council, the highest decision-making organ of the world governing body. Lekjaa previously served as a CAF vice-president from 2017, but was not re-elected for years later. He combines his football duties with a senior role in the Moroccan civil service. Many African officials believe the Royal Moroccan Football Federation president could be an eventual successor to current CAF president Patrice Motsepe from South Africa. The 63-year-old billionaire was last month elected unopposed for a second four-year term as the leader of African football. Motsepe was also chosen by acclamation in 2021. CAF presidents are limited to three terms. This restriction was introduced after Cameroonian Issa Hayatou led CAF for 29 years before being deposed in 2017. Four other new vice-presidents were chosen -- Ghanaian Kurt Okraku, Gabonese Pierre-Alain Mounguengui, Congolese Bestine Ditabala and Mozambican Feizal Sidat. Candidates who failed to make it included former Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o, who was elected to the CAF executive committee last month. The 44-year-old forward scored a record 18 goals at Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and his long list of clubs included stints with Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea. Eto'o was voted African Footballer of the Year a record-equalling four times before retiring. He became president of the Cameroon national football federation four years ago. dl/dmc
