The country’s achievements in 2024 reflect its resilience, ambition, and vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Marrakech – As 2024 draws to a close, Morocco stands proud, reflecting on a milestone year marked by remarkable achievements across various sectors.
From groundbreaking projects to impressive milestones and cultural triumphs, the kingdom continues to establish itself as a beacon of progress in North Africa and beyond.
Morocco confirmed as co-host of 2030 FIFA World Cup
Morocco has been confirmed as a co-host for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal, marking a historic milestone for African football.
The decision, approved unanimously at an Extraordinary FIFA Congress, highlights Morocco’s growing influence on the global football stage.
The bid received a strong evaluation score of 4.2 out of 5 for exceeding hosting requirements.
As only the second African nation to host the World Cup, following South Africa in 2010, Morocco’s role in this landmark event solidifies its football credentials.
The tournament will also include matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to celebrate the centenary of the first World Cup in 1930.
Morocco’s selection is a significant achievement for Africa, showcasing the continent’s capacity to host major global events and reinforcing Morocco’s sports infrastructure and football legacy.
Morocco’s UM6P Launches ChatGPT Edu
In November, the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) has made a groundbreaking leap in education by becoming the first university in Africa to integrate ChatGPT Edu, a cutting-edge AI-powered tool developed by OpenAI.
This marked a significant milestone for both UM6P and the African educational landscape. In a statement, the university said its primary goal is to harness the power of artificial intelligence to enhance learning experiences, streamline research, and optimize administrative functions.
It highlighted that the use of ChatGPT Edu, powered by GPT-4, is set to revolutionize education by offering personalized learning and improving the efficiency of administrative operations.
Key aspects of the tool’s integration include personalized learning experiences for students.
ChatGPT Edu will provide customized tutoring sessions tailored to individual learning needs, interactive career preparation tools such as mock interviews, CV reviews, and opportunities for students to create their own AI assistants to support their specific course requirements.
This innovation aims to empower students by providing them with the tools needed for academic success and future career development.
Faculty members will also benefit from the AI tool’s capabilities, with features designed to assist with grading, curriculum development, and delivering detailed feedback to students.
The tool is expected to enhance teaching efficiency and help educators focus more on student engagement and less on administrative tasks.
Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway 98% complete
Morocco’s southern provinces are witnessing a major transformation with the near-completion of the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, now 98% complete, according to Le360.
The section connecting Guelmim to Dakhla is fully finished, improving transportation efficiency for both passengers and freight.
The remaining construction focuses on the Tiznit to Guelmim stretch, which has faced delays due to difficult terrain. Completion is expected by year-end, reports indicate.
The expressway has been widely praised by road users for easing traffic flow and bringing significant changes to the region.
As part of a broader development strategy, the project includes expanding and duplicating lanes along National Highway No. 1, covering 1,055 kilometers.
Launched in February 2015, the initiative is backed by three key ministries; Interior, Economy and Finance, and Equipment, Transport, Logistics, and Water, with a total budget of MAD 8.5 billion (around $864 million).
Morocco tops Africa’s business tourism rankings
Morocco has been ranked fifth in Africa for business tourism, according to the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) 2023 report.
The country hosted 26 international events last year, behind South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, and Egypt.
Marrakech played a key role, hosting the 2023 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings with 14,000 participants.
The city secured sixth place among Africa’s top convention cities, tied with Accra, and is ranked 143rd globally.
Moroccan artists dominate Billboard Arabia Awards
ElGrandeToto, the undisputed king of Moroccan rap, dominated the Billboard Arabia Music Awards 2024, taking home three prestigious awards: Artist of the Year — Arabic Hip-Hop, Top Arabic Hip-Hop Male Artist, and Top Arabic Hip-Hop Song for “Blue Love.”
With 285 million Spotify streams, his influence in the MENA rap scene is unmatched.
Manal, with her distinct voice and blend of Moroccan pop and international influences, was crowned Top Female Artist in the “Magharebi Dialect” category, solidifying her place in the music world.
Khtek, also known as “your sister” in Darija, has become a powerful force in Moroccan rap, winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist with her unapologetic style and barrier-breaking attitude.
Meanwhile, Dystinct is making waves in Moroccan pop, showcasing a fresh sound that’s capturing a global audience’s attention.
The Billboard Arabia Music Awards 2024 highlighted Morocco’s musical talent, with artists proving their ability to shine on the global stage.
Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz chooses Morocco over Spain
This year saw Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz choose to represent Morocco instead of Spain.
The 24-year-old attacker, born in Malaga, opted for Morocco, the country of his paternal grandfather.
Diaz, who reportedly waited for a call from Spain until the last moment but never received one, made the announcement in an exclusive interview on Universo Valdano, a popular football show on Movistar.
During the interview, Diaz emphasized that he “did not demand anything to go with Spain.”
He explained, “I have never pushed to play for Spain and I never will. I speak on the field; it is where you are good and where you accumulate merits.”
Morocco launches ‘Cap Hospitality’
Morocco’s Tourism Ministry recently introduced Cap Hospitality, a new program designed to modernize and expand the country’s tourist accommodations.
Launched on Wednesday last week, the initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Budget, the Mohammed VI Fund for Investment, and the Moroccan Society of Tourist Engineering.
The goal of the program is to upgrade 25,000 hotel rooms across the country, with a projected investment of MAD 4 billion ($402.8 million).
This comes at a time when Morocco is seeing a surge in international tourists and preparing for major upcoming events, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2025 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, for which the country is a potential host.
The upgrades will ensure that Morocco’s hospitality sector meets international standards and can accommodate growing numbers of visitors.
Cap Hospitality is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to enhance its tourism infrastructure and attract more travelers, providing a boost to the country’s economy and international profile.
Soufiane El Bakkali wins Morocco’s first gold at 2024 Paris Olympics
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Moroccan runner Soufiane El Bakkali claimed gold in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase with an impressive time of 8:06:05.
El Bakkali showed great determination, starting in fifth and fourth positions.
Despite early challenges, he steadily moved up through the field, navigating a race where Ethiopian runners initially took the lead.
El Bakkali dropped to seventh at one point, but he surged forward in the final moments, showcasing the resilience and skill that have defined his career over the years.
Nabil Ayyouch’s latest movie nominated for the Oscars
“Everybody Loves Touda” has been selected as Morocco’s official entry for the Oscars; it was chosen by a panel led by Tariq Khalami of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM).
The panel, which included notable figures like producer Souad Lamriki and filmmaker Asmae El Moudir, has raised the anticipation for Morocco’s Oscar journey.
The film follows Touda, a woman dreaming of becoming a “Cheikha” —a traditional Moroccan artist known for singing about resistance, love, and freedom.
Performing in bars in her small town, Touda faces mistreatment but holds on to hope for a better future for herself and her son.
After enduring humiliation, she leaves everything behind and heads for Casablanca to remake herself and embark on her fulfilling yet at times chaotic life journey .
A story of resilience and dreams, “Everybody Loves Touda” captures the heart of Morocco, making it a compelling entry for global recognition.
