🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
HCP forecasts 5.4% economic growth for Q3 2026, driven by agriculture and recovering industries
via Le Matin6 min read
The national economy is projected to accelerate to 5.4% annual growth in the third quarter of 2026, according to the High Commission for Planning HCP. This follows growth rates of 4.6% in Q1 and an estimated 4.8% in Q2. The anticipated improvement is attributed to a gradual broadening of growth drivers. While agriculture and services were primary contributors in the first half of the year, manufacturing and extractive industries are expected to recover. Agricultural value added is forecast to increase by 19.9% in Q3, building on 18.4% in Q1 and 20.5% in Q2, due to favorable rainfall. This agricultural momentum is expected to support rural incomes, household consumption, and related sectors. Secondary industries, which saw a 1% decline in value added in Q1 after ten quarters of growth, are expected to begin recovery in Q3. This recovery is driven by a gradual rebound in global trade and increased demand for certain Moroccan industries, including a 1.8% rise in manufacturing value added. Extractive industries are also set to benefit from renewed international demand for fertilizers. The services sector is expected to maintain its stabilizing role, with a 4.4% increase in value added in Q3, supported by tourism, transport, and trade. Household consumption is projected to rise by 4.9% in Q3, up from 4.7% in Q2, fueled by improved incomes, favorable financing conditions, and easing inflationary pressures. Productive investment is also set to strengthen, with a forecast increase of
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Marsa Maroc has been awarded a 30-year concession for petroleum berth 8 Bis at the port of Jorf Lasfar, following a tender by the National Ports Agency ANP. This project is part of a strategy to expand port capacity for petroleum products. Marsa Maroc will oversee all development phases, including design, financing, construction, equipping, commercial operation, and maintenance of the future terminal. The new oil berth will feature a 71-meter-long quay with a draft of 16.5 meters, providing an additional annual capacity of 4.6 million tons for various liquid bulk products. Commissioning is scheduled for the first quarter of 2029. This new infrastructure aims to meet the growing national demand for petroleum products and strengthen Marsa Maroc's presence at Jorf Lasfar, a key Moroccan hub for energy and industrial imports. The expansion will also increase the port complex's liquid bulk processing capabilities. Marsa Maroc operates 36 terminals across 21 ports in Morocco and Africa, handling over 67 million tons annually. This concession aligns with its "Marsa 2030" strategic plan, which focuses on strengthening its position in major port and logistics projects.
Anouar Invest Group is seeking support from the African Development Bank AfDB for its growth program. The AfDB is considering providing financing to Nutris S.A., Anouar Invest Group's agri-food holding company. This funding would contribute to a €190 million investment program designed to strengthen the resilience of Morocco's food system, promote import substitution, and accelerate value creation within key agricultural value chains. The program includes establishing a yeast production unit to support Morocco's baking industry and valorize agricultural by-products like molasses. It also involves creating a modern cheese processing unit to strengthen the national dairy value chain and reduce import dependence. Additionally, the plan aims to increase the Group's capacity in processing high value-added flour-based products and modernize its national distribution network through IT system upgrades to improve traceability, logistics, and access to underserved areas. The new yeast and cheese processing factories will be located in the second phase of the Jorf Lasfar industrial park in Moulay Abdallah, El Jadida province. The yeast unit will occupy 4 hectares, and the cheese processing unit will occupy 1.5 hectares, on land already owned by the Group. Anouar Invest's existing biscuit production unit, located in the Sahel industrial zone in Had Soualem, Berrechid province, is also on Group-owned land. Following an expansion between 2022 and 2025, new production lines are planned to
The 15th session of the Morocco-France High-Level Meeting commenced its proceedings in Rabat on Thursday, July 16, 2026. This significant event brings together the governments of the Kingdom of Morocco and the French Republic to discuss various matters. The article also mentions that Prime Minister Akhannouch held discussions with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.