Latest news with #CAN2025
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's e-visa attracts nearly Half a million applications from 118 nationalities in three years
Three years after its launch, Morocco's electronic visa (e-visa) system has proven to be an effective tool in supporting the country's growing tourism sector and international engagement, according to a recent report. The data show that out of nearly half a million applications processed since the system's rollout, 94.1% were tourism-related, confirming the e-visa's role in making Morocco more accessible to travelers. Business visas accounted for the remaining 5.9%, underscoring the system's additional value in facilitating diplomatic and economic exchanges. The third year of implementation marked a significant milestone, with 187,895 applications submitted, reflecting a sharp rise in demand compared to the previous year. According to the report, this increase demonstrates both a «maturation of the system» and growing user confidence, aided by Morocco's deliberate expansion of access to the e-visa, now available to citizens of 118 nationalities. In addition to streamlining the visa process for travelers, the e-visa system has proven highly efficient, offering a 72-hour turnaround for standard applications and 24 hours for express requests. These fast processing times have made the system a crucial asset for Morocco's ability to host major international events. Speed as a Catalyst for Global Mobility The benefits of the e-visa have been particularly evident during large-scale international gatherings. During the 2023 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Marrakech, travelers from 109 nationalities entered Morocco using the system. At the GITEX Africa Morocco forums held in 2024 and 2025, the number of participating nationalities reached 118 and 117, respectively. With Morocco set to host major upcoming events like the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup (in partnership with Spain and Portugal), the e-visa continues to serve as a vital enabler of seamless travel and logistics. At the regional level, the e-visa has also contributed to strengthening intra-African mobility, according to repeated statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad. A notable example is the evolving partnership between Morocco and Ghana, where the e-visa is already in use. The ultimate objective is to move toward full visa exemption between the two countries, further easing academic, business, and cultural exchanges. Overall, the data confirm the strategic relevance of the e-visa, described as both a modernization tool for consular services and a mechanism for enhancing tourism appeal. It is increasingly seen as a lever for positioning Morocco as a welcoming destination for travelers, investors, and international institutions alike.
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Government approves Morocco 2030 body to deliver World Cup vision
The Government Council, which met on Thursday in Rabat, approved draft law 35.25 establishing the Morocco 2030 Foundation. The proposal was presented by Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget. This draft law follows royal directives issued during the Council of Ministers held on December 4, 2024, concerning Morocco's preparations for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030, stated Mustapha Baitas, Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesperson, during a press briefing following the meeting. According to Baitas, hosting this global event, alongside other major competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025), reaffirms Morocco's role as a crossroads of civilizations and a leading destination for international events. He added that these tournaments also offer an opportunity to accelerate large-scale development projects across the country, with benefits extending beyond the host cities. It is within this framework that the Morocco 2030 Foundation was conceived. The Foundation will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the execution of various projects to ensure the success of major football competitions, particularly the 2030 World Cup. It will also ensure that the state honors its commitments under the tournament's terms of reference. The entity will operate through a participatory approach, engaging all relevant stakeholders—government agencies, public institutions and enterprises, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, Moroccans abroad, the national football community, and African talents, to achieve its objectives.
Ya Biladi
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan U20 coach celebrates well-deserved victory against Kenya in CAN 2025 opener
The coach of the national U20 football team, Mohamed Ouahbi, stated on Thursday evening in Cairo that the victory against Kenya (3-2) on the first matchday of Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) in Egypt was «well-deserved» given his players' strong performance. Speaking at a post-match press conference, Ouahbi expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the Atlas Cubs in this match, highlighting their superiority in terms of possession and shots on target. He emphasized the importance of this victory to start the continental competition on the right foot, praising the team spirit of the players. The only downside, he added, was the injuries to Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal and Yassir Zibari, who scored twice in this match. Regarding the Kenyan team, the national coach noted that he was surprised by their level, pointing out that they are a tactically organized and disciplined team with good players in their ranks. Commenting on the prominence of Moroccan football, Ouahbi highlighted that under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has been committed for several years to the development of national football. Emphasizing the efforts of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), under the presidency of Fouzi Lekjaa, he noted that all resources have been made available to honor national football in various competitions, applauding the achievements in infrastructure and foundational work in academies and clubs, which bodes well for a bright future for Moroccan football. He pointed out that the Mohammed VI Football Academy, a benchmark model in football training, supplies the various national teams with talented players, and he also highlighted the role of Moroccan clubs in player development. On the second day of the group stage, Morocco will face Nigeria on Sunday. They will then play against Tunisia on Wednesday, May 7, for the third and final matchday.
Ya Biladi
04-03-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Fitch Solutions predicts 5% economic growth for Morocco
Moroccan economy is projected to grow by 5% in 2025, up from 3.3% in 2024, driven by monetary policy, expansion in non-agricultural sectors, and increased foreign direct investment (FDI). According to a study by Fitch Solutions, FDI in the automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors will play a key role in sustaining growth, supported by infrastructure investments ahead of the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. Remittances from Moroccans living abroad have also shown positive growth. The study highlights a 55.4% year-on-year increase in net FDI in 2024. Meanwhile, Morocco's tourism sector is expected to attract 17.8 million visitors in 2025, bolstered by the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) in December. However, these forecasts come amid a challenging backdrop of historic drought, which has persisted for six consecutive years, severely impacting the agricultural sector that employs nearly 30% of the workforce. High unemployment and inflation are additional factors expected to weigh on income and consumption, slowing overall economic momentum. As a result, the growth forecast has been revised downward from an initial 5.6%, reflecting lower-than-expected agricultural production.
