Morocco's National Technological Innovation Day aims to transform research into economic value
via Le Matin4 min read
The 5th edition of the National Technological Innovation Day in Engineering JNITI seeks to bridge the gap between research, engineering, and industry in Morocco. According to Hassan Ammor, the event aims to consolidate its role as a national reference platform, bringing together researchers, engineers, doctoral students, industrialists, and decision-makers to advance projects beyond the laboratory. Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence, renewable energies, health, biotechnologies, Industry 4.0 and 5.0, robotics, smart cities, digitalization, microwave techniques, telecommunications, and aeronautics. The JNITI also intends to strengthen sustainable partnerships, encourage co-innovation, and support the emergence of high-impact deep-tech startups. The president of JNITI states that the goal is to become a platform for excellence fostering innovation, technology transfer, and collaboration between researchers and industrialists. Moroccan universities are transitioning towards an impact-oriented model, with existing tools like innovation cities, incubators, and technology transfer interfaces. While scientific production is progressing in strategic fields, the transformation into economic value through patents, startups, and industrialized solutions remains a challenge. Hassan Ammor emphasizes that the challenge is to convert knowledge into concrete solutions that create economic and social value. He highlights the importance of strategic resource mobilization, divers
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The Mawazine Festival has announced that Ninho will perform on the international stage of OLM Souissi on Friday, June 19, 2026. Born in 1996, Ninho became a prominent figure in French rap in 2016 with his mixtape M.I.L.S. Since then, he has achieved critical and commercial success, with four diamond-certified albums. This performance marks the first announcement for the 2026 program. The festival will feature international stars, leading oriental artists, global rhythms, and Moroccan talents, according to the organizers. The 20th anniversary edition of Mawazine attracted over 3.75 million festival-goers and more than 100 artists from around the world.
Saham Bank has launched MyFX My Foreign Exchange, a new digital platform and mobile application designed for corporate foreign exchange operations. Described as the first mobile application of its kind in Morocco, MyFX targets the bank's trading room clients, including importers and exporters. Larbi Mouline, Deputy General Manager in charge of Investment Banking at Saham Bank, stated that MyFX offers clients complete control over their foreign exchange operations through advanced technology, transparency, and responsiveness, demonstrating the bank's commitment to transforming the transactional experience. The application allows businesses to view real-time exchange rates, buy or sell currencies, track transaction history, and request quotes directly from their smartphones or via a web interface, accessible 24 hours a day, five days a week. This launch is timely given the importance of rapid execution and immediate access to information due to fluctuating exchange markets, especially for international businesses. MyFX aims to centralize various functions, including transaction execution, rate consultation, data export to Excel or PDF, and a messaging service with bank experts. This initiative is part of Saham Bank's ongoing digitalization efforts for its corporate services, aligning with a trend among Moroccan banks to offer online solutions that streamline transactional operations, reduce processing times, and enhance autonomy for professional clients.
Celiac disease patients in Morocco are struggling with the high cost of gluten-free products and insufficient public health support, despite the condition's high prevalence in the Kingdom. Amine Tehraoui, the Minister of Health and Social Protection, acknowledged the challenges during a session at the House of Councillors on April 21, 2026, highlighting the chronic nature of the disease and the expensive dietary regimen it requires. He noted that mandatory health insurance covers diagnosis, biological tests, medical follow-up, and complication treatment. The Minister also mentioned potential improvements, including early diagnosis, optimized care pathways, and coordination with stakeholders to explore additional support mechanisms for vulnerable groups. The High Authority for Health is currently evaluating the inclusion of celiac disease and gluten-free products in the reimbursement basket, considering medical efficacy, cost, and public health impact. Dr. Khadija Moussayer, Vice-President of the Moroccan Association of Gluten Intolerant and Allergic Individuals AMIAG, views these announcements as encouraging but insufficient. She points out that celiac disease is not recognized as a long-term condition, which limits patients' access to near-full reimbursement for care. The primary obstacle remains the cost of gluten-free foods, which can be up to ten times more expensive than conventional alternatives, with no reimbursement for these vital expenses. Associations advocate for
BMCE Capital Global Research recommends purchasing Aradei Capital shares, valuing them at 521 dirhams, indicating a potential increase of 23.2% from the January 22, 2026, price. This recommendation follows Aradei Capital's strategic repositioning and a new growth cycle. The company aims to increase its asset value to over 11 billion dirhams by 2030, supported by a 3.3 billion dirham investment pipeline, with 1.8 billion dirhams already secured. By 2030, Aradei Capital targets revenue exceeding 1 billion dirhams, Funds From Operations FFO around 500 million dirhams, and an EBITDA margin above 70%. The share valuation, raised from 518 to 521 dirhams, incorporates the 2025-2030 development plan, expected synergies from the Casablanca mixed-use project, and improved pipeline visibility. BMCE Capital projects revenues around 1 billion dirhams by 2030, with an anticipated acceleration in 2026 to 779 million dirhams, a 20% year-on-year increase. This growth is driven by 100 million dirhams in exceptional revenues from a real estate development project in Dar Bouazza, the full-year integration of SELA Park Casablanca, and contributions from renovated Almazar and Borj Fès centers, expected in the first half of 2026, and initial recurring revenues from the Elevate project. In 2027, revenues are projected to normalize to 706 million dirhams, a 9% year-on-year decrease due to the non-recurrence of exceptional revenues, but show a 9% growth excluding real estate development. Long-term rev