AGP Executive Report

Gaza Reconstruction Funding: Reports say Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” has “zero dollars” in its World Bank account four months after launch, with pledges for Gaza relief not translating into deposits and donors reportedly routing money through other channels, leaving projects in legal and political limbo. Morocco in the Mix: Morocco is named among contributors (about $20m) supporting board operations, even as the main fund remains empty. World Cup Consumer Pressure: New York and New Jersey attorneys general opened an investigation into FIFA ticketing after complaints of high prices and seat reassignment issues, with a Brazil–Morocco match at MetLife Stadium among the affected games. Morocco Business & Industry: AfDB pledged a €450m partial credit guarantee for OCP to back green investment and emissions cuts, while Geely launched two NEV models in Casablanca to deepen its Morocco push. Animal Welfare Law: International groups urged amendments to Morocco’s Draft Law 19-25, warning it conflicts with the country’s TNVR rabies-control agreement. Macro Outlook: The AfDB’s 2026 African Economic Outlook projects growth of 4.2% for Africa, with Morocco among the resilient performers.

MENA Pharma Deal: Recce Pharmaceuticals signed a non-binding term sheet for a proposed 10-year, exclusive licensing deal to commercialise its R327G topical gel for diabetic foot infections across Saudi Arabia, GCC states, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco—potentially bringing upfront and milestone payments up to US$3.5m plus royalties. Digital Africa Push: Morocco’s UN envoy in Geneva, Omar Zniber, reaffirmed Rabat’s commitment to inclusive digital development for Africa, calling for stronger infrastructure and partnerships to unlock digital trade. Eid Pressure on Water: Ahead of Eid al-Adha, repeated water cuts hit several Moroccan cities, with heat and demand stressing supply systems and prompting calls to conserve. AfCFTA Digital Rails: AfCFTA picked Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria to pilot ADAPT, aiming to build shared digital infrastructure for identity, payments and trusted trade data exchange. Regional Politics Spillover: The week’s biggest external storyline remains US-Iran talks getting tangled with Trump’s push to expand the Abraham Accords—while Morocco’s role in the wider normalization map stays in the background.

US-Iran Tensions: Iran hit back at fresh U.S. strikes, calling them “bad faith” and a ceasefire violation, while the U.S. says the action was defensive and restrained; Iran also began restoring internet after a shutdown that started in January, as talks continue toward a possible deal. Abraham Accords Push: Trump is tying any Iran settlement to expanded Abraham Accords participation, urging Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and others to sign—an idea analysts say is politically hard, with Pakistan publicly rejecting it. Morocco Football Spotlight: Morocco hosts a tense CAF U-17 AFCON semi-final double-header in Rabat on May 29, with Tanzania set to face Egypt and Morocco to meet Senegal. Climate Shock: A deadly early-summer heatwave in France has been linked to seven deaths, with record May temperatures across western Europe. World Cup Logistics: World Cup travel is already colliding with other big events, and fans face “sticker shock” from transit costs in some U.S. host cities.

Middle East Shockwaves: US forces carried out “self-defence” strikes on missile sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran, even as Iran-US ceasefire talks continue in Doha—raising fresh doubts over the fragile truce and the Strait of Hormuz. Abraham Accords Pressure: Trump is pushing an expanded Abraham Accords push—urging Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and Jordan to normalise with Israel—while Pakistan’s defence minister rejects it as clashing with “fundamental ideologies.” Morocco’s Eid Fallout: Eid al-Adha livestock markets are back after last year’s drought suspension, but soaring lamb prices are turning a sacred ritual into a political flashpoint. Atlantic Strategy: Morocco’s foreign minister doubled down on a “sea-first” plan—ports, the blue economy and Atlantic links to Africa—to deepen regional integration. Brand & Business Signals: Morocco remains visible in Africa’s brand rankings, while the Casablanca Stock Exchange closed higher at week’s start. Wellness Demand: A global wellness tourism boom is reshaping hotel offerings, with Morocco’s own luxury spa model highlighted.

Middle-East Diplomacy: President Donald Trump says any Iran peace deal must be tied to a “mandatory” expansion of the Abraham Accords, urging Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to sign on simultaneously (with the UAE and Bahrain already in), while warning talks are “proceeding nicely” but could collapse into renewed conflict. Negotiation Reality Check: Iran’s foreign ministry pushes back, saying no agreement is imminent and rejecting claims about uranium handovers, as U.S.-Iran talks continue in Doha. Morocco Angle: The Abraham Accords already include Morocco, and the renewed push puts extra spotlight on Rabat’s regional positioning as Washington links normalization to security outcomes. Business & Travel Signals: Morocco’s tourism and aviation pressures remain in the background this week, with reports of route suspensions tied to fuel costs and ongoing interest in Western Sahara travel. Sports Culture: Morocco’s football ecosystem stays visible internationally, from player transfer headlines to World Cup-related attention.

World Cup Security: With the 2026 tournament in North America, the U.S. has flagged an “extremely high” terror threat level, warning of risks in “soft areas” across 11 host cities—turning security planning into a top business issue for travel and hospitality. Morocco Diplomacy: King Mohammed VI granted a royal pardon to Senegalese AFCON fans jailed after violence, a humanitarian move that also eases regional political pressure. Labor Rights: Morocco’s biggest union is pushing the government to suspend a new strike law after an ICJ opinion backed the right to strike under international labor rules. Education Gains: The World Bank says Morocco’s “Pioneer Schools” program is already lifting learning outcomes—covering 4,626 primary schools and over 2 million students. Transport & Costs: Royal Air Maroc is suspending 12 routes due to soaring kerosene prices and weaker demand, a reminder that fuel shocks can quickly reshape Morocco’s connectivity. Green Hydrogen: A study finds Morocco’s Dakhla and Laayoune regions have among the lowest green hydrogen costs in the country. Football Focus: Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo says the Black Stars are ready to compete in World Cup Group L after missing AFCON qualification in Morocco.

Royal Clemency: King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to 18 Senegalese football supporters jailed over violence tied to the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat, citing fraternal ties with Senegal and humanitarian reasons ahead of Eid al-Adha—an attempt to cool diplomatic tensions after CAF’s controversial handling of the match. Aviation Shock: Royal Air Maroc is suspending 12 routes (Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier links) as jet fuel prices spike and demand softens, with affected passengers to be supported while services are reassessed. Eid Cash Planning: Morocco’s banking sector is coordinating measures to prevent ATM cash shortages during the extended Eid break. Trade Friction: Spain is pushing the EU to resolve a visa crisis affecting Moroccan truck drivers, warning of knock-on disruptions for Spanish firms and supply chains. Green Hydrogen Edge: A new study flags Morocco’s southern regions (Dakhla and Laayoune) as among the lowest-cost green hydrogen producers. Public Health Alert: UNICEF says 1.9 million Moroccan children face lead exposure, calling it a growing silent crisis.

Royal Pardon, AFCON Fallout: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has granted a humanitarian royal pardon to 18 Senegalese football fans jailed over violence tied to the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat, with the Royal Cabinet citing long-standing fraternal ties ahead of Eid al-Adha—an immediate diplomatic win that also signals how quickly sport can shift from crisis to reconciliation. Aviation Pressure: Royal Air Maroc is suspending 12 international routes after a Middle East fuel shock pushed jet-fuel costs higher and demand softer on some links, underscoring how regional tensions keep feeding into Morocco’s travel and logistics costs. Trade & Connectivity: Separate coverage points to Morocco’s push to deepen logistics reach, while broader China-Africa shipping dynamics keep evolving. Food & Markets: Morocco’s poultry sector is pushing back against viral online safety allegations, insisting its organized supply chain meets veterinary and food-safety rules.

World Cup Footprint Debate: FIFA’s expanded 48-team World Cup is set to bring record revenue—but environmental experts warn it could also become the most-polluting sporting event in history, with CO2 estimates far above the 2024 Paris Olympics. Morocco Coalition Politics: Inside Morocco’s ruling alliance, tensions flared after Istiqlal’s Nizar Baraka attacked “speculators” over rising prices, drawing a sharp rebuttal from a senior coalition figure ahead of the 2026 elections. Food Safety Pushback: Morocco’s poultry federation (FISA) rejected online claims that chickens are injected with unsafe substances, saying the organized supply chain follows veterinary and food-safety rules. Trade & Agriculture Signals: Moroccan lemon exports to Spain surged more than 2,200% in Q1 2026 as climate shocks tightened Spanish supply. Justice & Crypto Crackdowns: Courts in China, the UK and Morocco handed prison sentences to crypto thieves in a week, as enforcement against “wrench attacks” continues. Logistics Deal: Swissport signed to acquire Swiftair Maroc, entering Morocco’s cargo market and boosting air-freight capacity at Mohammed V.

Swissport Expansion: Swissport has signed a binding deal to acquire Casablanca-based Swiftair Maroc, officially pushing into Morocco’s air cargo market and boosting its presence at Mohammed V Airport, with cold-chain capacity for pharma and perishables. Port Readiness: Moroccan authorities held a high-level coordination meeting to track progress on the Nador West Med port, aiming to keep the launch on track before end-2026. Customs Crackdown: Morocco’s customs says anti-fraud controls lifted additional revenues to 8.09bn dirhams in 2025, alongside major drug, cigarette and counterfeit seizures. Higher Education Push: The government’s university reform moves forward with 26 new institutions in phase one to ease overcrowding and better match local labour needs. World Cup Noise, Local Angle: FIFA’s 2026 tournament is still dominating headlines globally, but Morocco’s business story is more practical right now—logistics, enforcement, and capacity building.

Morocco–Sahara Diplomacy: France reiterated that the “present and future” of the Sahara sit within Moroccan sovereignty, pointing to the autonomy plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2797, while also citing expanded consular and cultural steps in the region. Inflation Watch: Morocco’s inflation jumped to 1.7% in April, up from 0.9% in March, with transport and fuel costs driving the rise as Middle East tensions keep energy prices volatile. Logistics & Trade: DP World’s Atlas service is now in its first six months, linking Agadir/Casablanca to London Gateway and Antwerp with dedicated vessels and reefer capacity to cut road reliance and cold-chain risk. Ports Push: Morocco is accelerating a ports expansion drive through 2030, targeting new ports, expanded facilities, and more ship-repair capacity to lift annual handling above 450 million tonnes. Skills & Jobs: AfDB approved €200m for “Cap Compétences 2030” to modernise vocational training and connect it to employment, with digitalisation and large-scale apprenticeships at the core. Business Tech: Inwi and Onee agreed a programme to expand high-capacity fibre infrastructure, including cyber security and data management.

Housing Safety Shock: Seven people died in a Fez building collapse blamed on illegal construction, reopening pressure on enforcement after earlier deadly collapses. Food & Farming Costs: Morocco farmers say higher fuel and nitrogen fertiliser prices are squeezing margins—“we are only working to pay for fuel”—even as government aid and distribution promises roll out. Trade & Logistics Friction: Imported Chinese trucks are stuck in limbo as NARSA-linked registration processing reportedly freezes, leaving fleets idle and costs piling up. Sahara Diplomacy: France reiterated that the “present and future” of the Sahara sit within Moroccan sovereignty, pointing to consular and cultural steps to implement the stance. Skills & Jobs Push: The AfDB approved a €235m loan to modernise vocational training and boost youth and women’s employment. Water Innovation: Souss-Massa is spotlighting “water sovereignty” and smart, circular water systems at IFAT 2026. Global Business Watch: Ford unveiled a Europe plan built around new models and software-driven productivity via Ford Pro. Hospitality Expansion: GHA added four brands and entered Rabat, signaling continued growth in Morocco’s travel economy.

Human Rights Under Scrutiny: The UN Torture Committee accuses Morocco of systemic abuse in the Gdeim Izik cases, citing torture, coerced confessions and failures to investigate. Sahara Diplomacy: France again reiterated that the “present and future” of the Sahara sit within Moroccan sovereignty, backing Morocco’s autonomy plan and pointing to UN Security Council Resolution 2797. Trade & Industry Pressure: Imported Chinese trucks are stuck in limbo as Morocco’s registration files remain frozen, leaving fleets idle and costs piling up. Public Finance & Social Shielding: Morocco approved an extra 20 billion dirhams for butane subsidies, disaster recovery and public investment, aiming to protect household purchasing power amid regional shocks. Jobs & Skills: The AfDB approved a €235m loan to expand vocational training and boost employment for young people and women. Connectivity & Telecom: Uni Fiber’s wholesale passive-fibre reference offer got regulatory approval, while Morocco’s road funding is also shifting toward bond financing. Agriculture Upswing: Morocco is moving toward a near-90 million quintal grain harvest after better rainfall. Business & Logistics: Swissport entered Morocco’s cargo market via the Swiftair Maroc acquisition.

Digital Trade Push: Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria have been picked as the first pilots for AfCFTA’s ADAPT digital trade infrastructure, aiming to cut cross-border friction by enabling trusted data exchange, payments and digital identity for trade documentation. Budget Relief: Morocco approved an extra MAD 20bn (about $2bn) to protect household purchasing power, stabilize butane gas prices, cover unexpected 2026 costs, and repair flood damage in the north. Capital Markets: Morocco priced a €2.25bn dual-tranche eurobond, with strong demand compressing spreads during marketing. Media & Diplomacy: Liberia’s publishers held their first meeting with a Moroccan foreign ministry media official to explore a peace-focused regional media bloc. Creative Economy: Morocco opened the 3rd Gaming Expo in Rabat, pushing youth training and startup support as the sector targets 1% of global gaming revenue by 2030-32. Sports Link: Uganda’s June friendlies against Tanzania and Madagascar will be played in Marrakech.

Human Rights Under Scrutiny: The UN Committee against Torture says Morocco violated the rights of Sahrawi detainees tied to the 2010 Gdeim Izik camp, citing a “consistent pattern” of arbitrary arrests, solitary confinement, torture or ill-treatment, and coerced confessions used in court. Trade & Diplomacy: Morocco and Bangladesh are discussing a free trade agreement, with talks also touching agriculture and phosphate supply. France Ties Get a Boost: Rabat and Paris are preparing a treaty ahead of King Mohammed VI’s state visit, with France reaffirming support for Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. Digital Finance Push: Al Mada Ventures (Morocco’s sovereign wealth fund) backs Checker’s $8m funding round to expand stablecoin-based financial services across Africa. Youth & Industry: Morocco’s 3rd Morocco Gaming Expo opened in Rabat under Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, spotlighting gaming as a jobs and cultural-economy engine. Business Watch Note: The week’s biggest Morocco-specific headline is the UN ruling; other items are mostly deal-making and sector updates.

Morocco’s regional clout spotlighted: A new US think-tank report says Morocco has moved from “buffer” to active regional player, citing trade, investment and security cooperation, plus a shift toward high-tech exports in green energy and electric-car battery materials. Gaza funding pressure (context for Morocco’s diplomacy): Trump’s “Board of Peace” warns of a widening gap between pledges and disbursement for Gaza rebuilding; only the UAE and Morocco are reported to have sent funds so far. Energy & industry momentum: Morocco’s solar expansion for Europe remains a key theme, while the wider region keeps pushing hydrogen/ammonia deals like Coega’s R16.7bn Topsoe technology contract. Digital & jobs push: Morocco Gaming Expo highlights rapid growth in local game start-ups and a push to reach 1% of global gaming turnover by 2030/32. Sports-business link: Qatar Airways plans more Morocco flights, including a daily Marrakesh service from 1 July. What’s missing: No major new Morocco-only policy or corporate deal landed in the latest hours beyond the Stimson-style positioning and expo coverage.