🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Mawazine Festival 2026 attracts nearly 3.6 million attendees, sets new records
via Le Matin4 min read
The Mawazine Festival 2026 drew close to 3.6 million attendees, marking it as a record-breaking edition. Organizers highlighted the opening of new iconic venues, an exceptional program, and popular enthusiasm that solidified Rabat and Salé as global music capitals during the festival. This significant turnout reaffirms Mawazine's position among the world's largest music festivals. The festival, which offers free access to most concerts, aims to promote cultural diversity, foster dialogue, and enhance Morocco's artistic and cultural influence. The 21st edition notably integrated the Grand Théâtre Royal of Rabat and the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium as major stages, signifying a new chapter for cultural events in Morocco. The Grand Théâtre Royal hosted jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater, while the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium featured spectacular evenings with artists like Douzi, Cheb Khaled, Morad, and ElGrandeToto. This year's festival also coincided with the FIFA World Cup, with fan zones set up at festival sites through a partnership with Bein Sports, allowing attendees to watch matches while enjoying the music program. Performances across various stages included international artists such as Ninho, Major Lazer, Tyla, ITZY, Rema, Tiësto, Ty Dolla $ign, and Bebe Rexha at OLM Souissi. The Nahda stage showcased Arab vocalists like Wael Kfoury and Tamer Hosny, while Bouregreg featured African music with artists such as Stonebwoy and Diamond Platnumz. The Salé stage was dedicate
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Morocco's trade deficit increased by 20.8% to 159.07 billion dirhams by the end of May 2026, up from 131.71 billion dirhams a year prior, according to the Office des Changes. This widening deficit is attributed to imports growing faster than exports, leading to a 3.2-point decrease in the import coverage rate, from 60.3% to 57.1%. Merchandise imports reached 370.49 billion dirhams, an 11.8% increase, or 39.043 billion dirhams more than the same period in 2025. This rise was primarily driven by a 18.7% increase in finished equipment products, including aircraft and other aerial or spatial vehicles, parts, and utility vehicles. The energy bill also saw a significant 20.7% increase, mainly due to higher purchases of diesel, fuel oils, and petroleum oils and lubricants. Raw product imports rose by 42.5%, largely due to increased imports of crude and unrefined sulfur and scrap iron, waste, and other ores, though crude or refined olive oil purchases decreased. Exports also grew, reaching 211.41 billion dirhams by the end of May 2026, a 5.8% increase from 199.73 billion dirhams a year earlier. The automotive sector remained the primary driver, with exports increasing by 15.9%, particularly in car manufacturing and wiring. Aeronautical exports also saw a 14.2% rise, mainly from the assembly segment. In contrast, phosphate and derivative exports declined by 11.2%, primarily due to reduced sales of natural and chemical fertilizers and phosphates. Despite the trade deficit, other extern
Three Moroccan ministries have partnered with ALTEN Maroc to advance artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0, aligning with Royal Directives to develop human capital for digital transformation and industrial growth. The collaboration aims to equip young people with advanced technological skills, strengthen public-private synergies, and enhance the university's role in innovation and economic development. This initiative supports the "Morocco Digital 2030" strategy and the "AI Made in Morocco" roadmap, positioning Morocco as a leader in responsible technological innovation and sovereign technologies. The partnership focuses on three key areas: upskilling Moroccan talent in digital and AI fields, accelerating industrial transition to Industry 4.0 with advanced R&D, and boosting the Kingdom's attractiveness for high-tech investments. The cooperation is structured around four pillars: Research & Development, focusing on co-developing AI algorithms for predictive maintenance, assisted design, simulation, industrial optimization, and automated quality control; Sectoral Accelerators, deploying advanced technological solutions for transport industries like automotive, aeronautics, and rail; Technology Platforms, providing testing and prototyping environments such as digital twins and numerical simulation for local industrial players; and Training and Skills, developing targeted programs in applied AI, advanced engineering, and digital transformation in partnership with Moroccan univ
Oncorad Group has announced two significant advancements in robotic surgery, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of its dedicated program. The first is a strategic partnership with ORSI Academy, a Belgian center specializing in robotic and minimally invasive surgical training. This collaboration aims to enhance the training of African surgeons in robotic technologies through advanced simulation, mentorship, and scientific exchanges, with the goal of establishing new centers of excellence across Africa. Dr. Youness Ahallal, a professor of robotic surgery at ORSI Academy and urological surgeon at Oncorad Group, will contribute his expertise to this initiative. The second major development is the successful completion of the first bidirectional robotic tele-surgery between Europe and Africa. Two robot-assisted operations were performed simultaneously: one in Casablanca at Littoral Clinic Ain Diab, and another in Belgium at ORSI Academy. Surgeons remotely controlled robots on different continents, with one operating from Africa to Europe and the other from Belgium to Casablanca. This achievement was facilitated by a secure, low-latency connection supported by Orange Maroc and its international partners. Oncorad Group views tele-surgery as a means to improve access to specialized care by overcoming geographical barriers, fostering expertise sharing among international hospitals, and promoting more equitable patient care, especially in regions with limited specialized medical