The Big Question: Why should Europe look to invest in Morocco?
Morocco had the fifth highest GDP in Africa in 2024, according to Statista.
At the same time, S&P Global Ratings upgraded the country's credit rating to BB+ with a positive outlook, replacing the previously stable outlook. This gives the country the third highest rating on the continent, after Botswana and Mauritius, which are the only nations to achieve 'investment grade status'.
According to S&P, the BB+ status denotes an expectation that 'the Kingdom will strengthen its track record of implementing reforms to support growth and reduce its deficits.'
This aligns with the country's conscious efforts to attract foreign direct investment and establish itself as a gateway between Europe and Africa.
In this episode of The Big Question, Euronews' business editor Angela Barnes is joined by Ali Seddiki, general director of the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), to discuss the country's future role in the global economy.
As Europe grapples with competitiveness challenges and uncertainty over its future economic relationship with the US, it is crucial for the bloc to explore other strategic partnerships.
'When we discuss with our European counterparts, we understand that green and ESG-compatible industries are important for Europeans. They are also looking for additional cost-efficiency, competitiveness, and also for future markets,' Mr Sedikki told The Big Question.
'Africa is also the market of the future [...] and clearly we think that Morocco is part of the solution for the European companies.'
Morocco's Investment Charter, first introduced in 2022, seeks 'to raise the share of private investment to two-thirds of total investment by 2035.'
The charter implemented investment support mechanisms, an improved business climate by simplifying processes and bureaucracy, improved governance so all regions can benefit, tax incentives and legal safeguards.
'It works on creating a suitable environment for investors, less bureaucracy, more efficiency,' Mr Sedikki explained.
The country also created a Ministry for Investors and AMDIE 'to help investors and provide end-to-end services and we work as a one-stop shop for any kind of investor,' he added.
Morocco has a growing green energy industry, with a particular focus on wind and solar.
The Kingdom is aiming to source at least 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, positioning itself as a regional leader in the energy transition in Africa.
'What we want to make sure of is that this potential is used to positively impact the Moroccan economy,' Mr Seddiki noted.
'We have a great young population entering the job market, that's a huge opportunity, but also it's a challenge, we need to create jobs. So now the strategy is how can we leverage our natural, sustainable resources in order to create sustainable jobs for our young people entering the job market?'
The Big Questionis a series from Euronews Business where we sit down with industry leaders and experts to discuss some of the most important topics on today's agenda.
Watch the video above to see the full discussion with the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development.
UK house prices edged up slightly to 3.5% on an annual basis in May, up from 3.4% in April, according to Nationwide's latest House Price Index report. This was ahead of analyst estimates of 2.9%, pointing to a still-resilient UK housing market, despite cost challenges following stamp duty threshold decreases at the start of April.
On a month-on-month basis, UK house prices jumped 0.5% in May, bouncing back from a -0.6% fall in April. This was more than the 0.1% increase expected by the market as well.
The average UK house price was £273,427 (€324,232.5) in May, up from £270,752 (€321,053.7) in April.
Nationwide's chief economist, Robert Gardner, said in the May house price index report on the company's website: 'Official data confirmed that there was a significant jump in residential property transactions in March, with buyers bringing forward their purchases to avoid additional stamp duty costs.
'Owner occupier house purchase completions were around twice as high as usual and the highest since June 2021, which was also impacted by stamp duty changes.'
He also noted that mortgage approval data suggests market activity has remained resilient following the end of the stamp duty holiday, with underlying UK housing market conditions staying robust despite broader global economic volatility
Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at online investment platform Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, said in an email note to Euronews: 'While some buyers are clearly pushing ahead with their purchase journey, others may now be mulling their options more carefully as higher costs pose a fresh challenge. Lower stamp duty thresholds have the biggest impact on first-time buyers as they must now save enough to cover a potentially sizable tax bill in addition to their deposit.'
She noted that this may encourage lenders to offer 100% mortgages to help first-time buyers get started on the property ladder, especially as several loan providers have already relaxed their requirements in an effort to draw more clients.
Falling interest rates as the Bank of England loosens monetary policy somewhat has also helped borrowing conditions, although sticky-high inflation may slow progress. Businesses passing on higher employment costs to consumers, mainly because of changing US tariff conditions, could impact the housing market as well.
'Uncertainty is becoming the new normal and for many first-time buyers or home movers looking to refinance their existing mortgage soon, it may be better to push ahead with a purchase rather than wait for the ideal borrowing conditions,' Haine noted.
"Plus, the traditional surge in listings at this time of year is a positive buyers can take advantage of, as a wider stock of homes to choose from raises the potential for heavier negotiation on price,' she added.
According to a recent special report by Nationwide, average house prices in mainly rural areas have continued to grow faster than more urban areas, rising 23% between December 2019 and December 2024. This is compared to an 18% increase in mainly urban areas.
Nationwide's chief economist, Robert Gardner, highlighted: 'The pandemic had a significant impact on housing demand during 2021 and 2022, with a shift in preferences towards more rural areas, particularly amongst older age groups. Whilst these effects have now faded, less urban areas have continued to hold the edge in terms of house price growth.'
The report also revealed that among house owners who have moved in the last five years, 63% moved within the same type of area, mainly between large towns or cities. 9% of homeowners moved to rural areas such as hamlets or villages from towns and cities, whereas 7% did the opposite.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, younger movers between the ages of 25 and 34 preferred to move to more urban localities, whereas older people, especially above 55 moved to more rural places.
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