🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Enactus and Spark train field actors in green finance for SMEs
via Le Matin2 min read
Despite the availability of green credit lines, public guarantees, and impact funds targeting Africa, Moroccan small businesses struggle to access these financings. This is not due to a lack of ambition or projects, but rather an inability to present them with the rigor required by banks and international funders. The "Green Forward" program, led by Enactus Morocco in partnership with the Dutch-international NGO Spark and supported by the European Union, aims to address this issue. Instead of directly training entrepreneurs, the program strengthens Entrepreneurship Support Structures ESS to amplify their impact. An organizational assessment of beneficiary ESS revealed common deficiencies, including a lack of understanding of green financing mechanisms, difficulty in assessing project bankability, and an inability to translate environmental impact into credible financial arguments. To remedy this, "Green Forward" is organizing an intensive three-hour workshop titled "Advanced Green Finance and Bankable Dossier Preparation" on July 7 in Casablanca. The workshop will cover green credits, subsidies, impact funds, and co-financing mechanisms available in Morocco, as well as practical training in financial viability analysis, business plan structuring, and preparing financial pitches for banks and investors. The target audience includes incubators, territorial associations, cooperative support centers, and startup and young entrepreneur support structures, regardless of their locat
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
The music video for "Siir Siir," an anthem for the 2026 World Cup, was released yesterday, featuring Nora Fatehi, Vegedream, and Sanjoy. The song includes an engaging rhythm, polished aesthetics, and unifying lyrics, along with the memorable "Siir Siir" hook, familiar to Moroccans since the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The video portrays football as a borderless celebration of passion and sharing. Filmed in iconic Moroccan locations such as the Parc de la Ligue arabe in Casablanca, with the Sacré-Cœur in the background, and the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, the video features precise choreography led by Nora Fatehi and her dancers. Nora Fatehi is among the artists selected by FIFA for the official 2026 World Cup album, a prestigious collection of international stars providing musical accompaniment for the global football event. French Montana also represents Morocco on the album with his track "Three Nations," celebrating the unity of the three host countries for the 2026 World Cup. This dual presence highlights the increasing international influence of Moroccan artists in the music scene.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli's knee injury, sustained during a friendly match against Norway, continues to be a concern for the Moroccan national team's technical staff. The Atlas Lions winger has undergone additional medical examinations, but a definitive diagnosis regarding the nature and severity of his injury is still pending. Further tests are required before a decision can be made on his availability for upcoming national team commitments. The medical and technical staff expect to have a clearer picture within the next two days, at which point a decision on his participation may be made. In contrast, news regarding Noussair Mazraoui is more positive. The Moroccan full-back has a minor shoulder contusion, which the medical staff considers not serious. He is expected to return to collective training sessions later this week. As the Atlas Lions prepare for their match against Brazil, Ezzalzouli's situation remains a primary concern, with upcoming medical examinations crucial for determining the extent of his injury and his ability to return to competition quickly, while Mazraoui appears to be on the path to recovery.
Must ReadDonald Trump stated that the United States is on the verge of achieving "total victory" over Iran within two weeks. Speaking at a tele-rally for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham's re-election campaign, Trump claimed that Iran is prepared to make a very good deal, offering to give up all nuclear weapons. He believes the US is winning the nuclear standoff with Iran and anticipates that this total victory will lead to a collapse in oil prices. Trump has previously asserted that US military operations have significantly weakened Iran's military and ballistic capabilities. A ceasefire was established on April 8, following over a month of fighting and bombardments that began with Operation Epic Fury on February 28. Since then, Washington and Tehran have been engaged in discussions to solidify the truce and achieve a lasting de-escalation of tensions.