🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Morocco's regional disparities in wealth, consumption, and GDP per capita widen in 2024, according to HCP
via Le Matin5 min read
New regional data from Morocco's High Commission for Planning HCP reveals that despite a 4.4% economic growth in 2024, disparities in wealth creation, consumption levels, and per capita income are increasing across the country. While the national GDP grew to 1,550.45 billion dirhams in volume and 1,614.57 billion dirhams at current prices, a 8.7% increase from 2023, this growth is not evenly distributed. Eight regions surpassed the national average growth rate of 4.4%, led by Laâyoune-Saguia Al Hamra 7.6%, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Sahab 7%, and Souss-Massa 6.8%. In contrast, Casablanca-Settat 4.3%, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra 3.5%, Béni Mellal-Khénifra 2.1%, and Fès-Meknès 1.6% grew below the national average. However, in terms of contribution to national wealth, Casablanca-Settat remains dominant, accounting for 32.3% of the national GDP. Together with Rabat-Salé-Kénitra 15.5% and Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima 10.7%, these three regions generate 58.4% of Morocco's GDP. The HCP noted a slight increase in territorial inequalities, with the average absolute gap between regional GDPs rising from 83.6 billion dirhams in 2023 to 90.9 billion dirhams in 2024. Sectoral analysis shows varied economic profiles. Primary activities constitute 10.7% of national GDP but reach 24.6% in Fès-Meknès. Secondary activities represent 25.6% of national GDP, with Casablanca-Settat contributing 36.5% to its regional GDP. Services are the main economic driver, making up 52.9% of national GDP, with Guelmim-Oued Noun showin
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Bank Al-Maghrib BAM has announced a reduction in the general cap for domestic electronic payment interchange fees from 0.65% to 0.5% excluding taxes, effective October 1, 2026. Additionally, a specific cap of 0.15% excluding taxes has been set for payments related to electronic government services e-Gov and transactions made with local merchants. Interchange fees are a component of the acquisition commission charged to merchants for accepting bank card payments. Bank Al-Maghrib emphasized that this acquisition commission is solely the responsibility of the merchant and cannot be passed on to the customer, regardless of the payment channel. For domestic electronic payment operations, interchange fees will not exceed 0.15% excluding taxes for e-Gov transactions, 0.15% excluding taxes for transactions with local merchants, and 0.50% excluding taxes for all other payment operations. Acquirers are required to provide Bank Al-Maghrib with their interchange fee schedules and commissions applied to merchants, along with all necessary reports to monitor compliance with this decision, according to the terms and schedule set by the Central Bank. Bank Al-Maghrib stated that the reduction in interchange fees is intended to be passed on by acquirers to the commissions applied to merchants for e-Gov operations and those conducted with local merchants.
Jannik Sinner, 24, secured his second consecutive Wimbledon title, marking his fifth Grand Slam victory and sixth trophy of the season. Sinner overcame his opponent after losing the first set, gaining control with a strong tie-break in the second. Despite a solid performance, Alexander Zverev, the recent French Open winner, could not stop Sinner's momentum. Zverev, who was a Wimbledon finalist for the first time, will rise to a career-high world number two ranking on Monday. This victory also marks Sinner's tenth consecutive win against Zverev and his 100th Grand Slam match win.
Royal Air Maroc has announced an exceptional program for the summer 2026 season, featuring a record offering of nearly 8.2 million seats, a 23% increase compared to summer 2025. This expansion will connect Morocco to 86 international destinations across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East, utilizing a modernized fleet of 67 aircraft. The increased capacity aims to support Moroccans residing abroad during the summer, enhance the Kingdom's connectivity, and meet demand from African diasporas and international tourists. The airline will serve 44 European destinations, 29 African destinations, seven in the Americas United States, Canada, and Brazil, and six in Asia and the Middle East. Europe will see over 3 million seats +22%, Africa over 1.8 million seats +36%, Asia and the Middle East over 524,000 seats +16%, and the Americas 723,000 seats +7%. Domestic routes will also increase by 18% with nearly 1.2 million seats. The company will maintain its "Europe by night - Africa by day" hub structure in Casablanca to improve connections and reduce wait times. For the first time, Royal Air Maroc will operate its entire summer program using only its own aircraft, without chartered planes. Hamid Addou, CEO of Royal Air Maroc, stated that this initiative is a major step in the company's development, reinforcing RAM's role as a strategic hub for Moroccan mobility and international influence. Flights for the summer season are already available for booking.