馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Morocco joins Mastercard's Priceless experiences platform, expanding unique African travel opportunities
via Le Matin3 min read
Mastercard has launched Priceless Africa, a platform that allows cardholders to access unique travel experiences across the continent, with Morocco now included. These experiences are categorized by passion points such as culture, gastronomy, nature, wildlife, and adventure, enabling travelers to explore their interests safely and easily. Mastercard also offers travel benefits including hotel and flight discounts, airport lounge access, and seamless booking on major travel platforms, car rentals, and e-hailing services. This initiative comes as African tourism experiences significant growth, with the continent welcoming 81 million international tourists in 2025, an 8% increase from the previous year, according to UN Tourism. Ahmed Abdel-Karim Hussein, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa EEMEA region at Mastercard, stated that Priceless Africa aims to connect people with their passions and the extraordinary spirit of the African continent through authentic and unforgettable experiences, supported by secure and seamless Mastercard payment options. Examples of available experiences include a hot air balloon safari in Amboseli National Park, a candlelit ceremony at Cape Coast Castle, gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, and a Bedouin dinner in Morocco's Agafay stone desert. The platform also features adventures like climbing Le Morne Brabant in Mauritius, a dhow trip in Zanzibar, rhino tracking
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.
Bank Al-Maghrib BAM and the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests signed a partnership agreement in Rabat. The agreement, signed by Bank Al-Maghrib Wali Abdellatif Jouahri and Minister of Agriculture Ahmed El Bouari, aims to formalize data, information, and study exchanges between the two institutions. This collaboration will enhance economic statistics and forecasts for the agriculture, maritime fisheries, and water and forests sectors. The partnership also includes joint studies and research on common interest themes to support decision-making and public policy development. Additionally, it features a component for skills development, with training programs in statistics, economic analysis, and foresight for employees of both institutions.
Following two consecutive World Cup quarter-final qualifications, Morocco is evaluating its performance to solidify its position among top national teams. Speaking to Al Arabiya, Mustapha Hadji praised the work of Mohamed Ouahbi's players but highlighted a key area for future improvement: a stronger bench. The former Atlas Lions midfielder noted that many players experienced the high demands of a World Cup for the first time, emphasizing that the tournament differs significantly from other competitions like the Champions League in terms of pace, pressure, and intensity. Hadji believes that squad depth is crucial for Morocco to advance further against major football nations. He stressed that strengthening the bench is essential to compete with teams like France. Eliminated just before the semi-finals, the Atlas Lions have a strong foundation, and the former African Ballon d'Or winner advocates for expanding the pool of international players to ensure Morocco continues to contend with the world's best teams in upcoming major tournaments.
Must ReadThe European Union has mobilized 883.6 million euros to support the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. This initiative, named "Team Gaza," was launched during a meeting co-chaired by European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. The gathering included 65 delegations representing EU member states, partner countries, international organizations, and financial institutions. The funding will be used to restore water and sanitation networks, manage debris and waste, and rebuild health services, energy infrastructure, and agricultural and food systems. Thirteen countries, including Spain, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, and Belgium, are participating alongside the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank. Australia and Canada have also expressed interest in joining. The initiative is based on a rapid damage and needs assessment for Gaza published in April 2026 by the EU, the United Nations, and the World Bank, aligning with the peace plan for Gaza and UN Security Council Resolution 2803, and complementing other international efforts.