🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Bank of Africa clarifies new exchange regulations to support business internationalization
via Le Matin4 min read
During the third edition of the Business Meetings organized by Bank of Africa in Casablanca, economic stakeholders discussed the new General Instruction on Exchange Operations IGOC 2026. This regulation aims to facilitate international business operations and enhance competitiveness. The IGOC, developed in consultation with banks, the CGEM, professional federations, and public institutions, seeks to make regulations clearer, more flexible, and better suited to economic operators' needs. Abdelmouttalib Berrada, head of the Regulation and Legal Affairs division at the Exchange Office, noted that the reform simplifies cross-border investments and operations, including expanding investment opportunities abroad for certified startups, easing service provision procedures, and relaxing rules for foreign investors. This reform occurs amid a favorable global context for Morocco, with major transformations in global investment flows. Mohammed Benjelloun, an expert consultant at AMDIE, highlighted the US-Morocco free trade agreement, which gives Moroccan exporters a 10-12% competitiveness advantage in some agri-food and textile products. Morocco's proximity to Europe also makes it an attractive destination for industrial projects targeting the European market. The African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA further opens new commercial prospects, with 24 African countries already implementing tariff reductions since 2021. Morocco's economy is strengthening, with 4.9% growth in 2025, reco
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Morocco continues to position itself in electric mobility with the return of the EVS Mobility Expo Morocco from October 27 to 29, 2026, at the Casablanca International Fair. Organized by MIE Group in partnership with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products CCCME, the event has become a key continental gathering for the electric mobility ecosystem. Automakers, equipment manufacturers, charging solution providers, energy producers, startups, and investors are expected to discuss sector developments and opportunities in African markets. This edition comes as electric mobility gains traction globally, with several African countries accelerating the development of their industrial and energy ecosystems. Morocco aims to leverage its automotive industry and renewable energy investments. Visitors will explore advancements in electric and hybrid vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy storage, and sustainable mobility technologies. Product launches and demonstrations are also planned. The event will facilitate B2B meetings, bringing together businesses, suppliers, investors, and decision-makers to foster new commercial and industrial partnerships. A series of conferences and seminars will address sector challenges, including charging infrastructure, battery technologies, public policies supporting electrification, and the African market's development prospects. The organizers will also utilize their "Matchmaking" platform to facilit
Morocco and the Council of Europe have formally launched the fifth phase of their Neighborhood Partnership, covering the period 2026-2029. The launch ceremony, held in Rabat, brought together representatives from Moroccan departments and institutions involved in the partnership, officials from the Council of Europe's Rabat office, and ambassadors from Council of Europe member states accredited to Morocco. Discussions focused on the achievements and prospects of the new partnership, as well as tangible approaches for sustainable project implementation. Morocco has been engaged in extensive reforms to consolidate democracy, promote human rights, and strengthen the rule of law since King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne. This dynamic has led to significant progress, including the consolidation of democratic institutions enshrined in the 2011 Constitution, the strengthening of national mechanisms for human rights promotion and protection, ongoing judicial system reform, and the consecration of judicial independence. This partnership aligns with the King's vision to modernize institutions and adhere to international standards. Cooperation with Council of Europe bodies has deepened in areas such as audiovisual, where Morocco, through HACA, has been a member of the European Audiovisual Observatory's Executive Council since 2013, making it the only non-European country in its region to hold this position. Other areas of cooperation include sports and the promotion of gender equa
Amethis has launched its MENA Fund III, a new private equity fund targeting small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs across four markets, with Morocco as a priority. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD plans to invest 40 million euros in the fund, which aims for a total size of 200 million euros. The EBRD's participation will represent up to 20% of the fund's target size. The fund will primarily focus on equity and quasi-equity investments in SMEs located in Morocco and Egypt, with selective investments in Tunisia and Jordan. It targets high-potential SMEs with stable business models, strong growth prospects, and those positioned to benefit from Amethis's added value. The objective is to ensure long-term growth in the value of these participations. For the EBRD, this commitment aims to strengthen the region's financial markets by supporting private equity as an alternative financing source and to enhance the competitiveness of portfolio companies through operational improvements. AMF III follows AMF II, which also received support from major development finance institutions, targeting majority and minority investments ranging from 5 to 15 million euros in high-growth SMEs in Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan. Beyond financing, the fund will actively support targeted SMEs in their institutionalization process, help shape and support growth strategies, and provide access to Amethis's commercial networks in Africa and Europe. The launch of MENA Fund III ma