AGP Executive Report

Social Protection: Morocco’s new strategy pairs expanded family support with elderly-care services and tighter digital safeguards, including a planned social-media ban for under-15s and limits on smartphones in primary schools. Education: Education Minister Nabil Benabdellah says the teacher recruitment age cap will rise above 35 and pledges better pay and conditions for preschool educators, many of whom face delayed salaries. Sufi Culture: Fez’s 17th Festival of Sufi Culture runs through October 25 under the theme “Living poetically, art and spirituality,” bringing music, art and debate to historic medina sites. Music: Moroccan singer Lamiae Naki and guitarist Nat Hulskamp blend Amazigh, West African and Andalusian sounds on Seffarine’s new album, Abaraz. Arts and Heritage: Casablanca’s Salon Émergences will showcase 50 emerging artists, while Marrakech’s Moroccan Poetry Festival has wrapped its eighth edition. Women’s Rights: Morocco’s first woman prime minister has put women’s empowerment among government priorities, alongside a pledge of MAD 2 billion for Amazigh-language reforms.

Sufi Culture: Fez’s 17th Festival of Sufi Culture runs through October 25, bringing music, art and scholarship together under the theme “Living poetically, art and spirituality.” The Three Cultures Foundation has joined as a partner, highlighting Morocco’s shared heritage with Andalusia. Child Safety: A Moroccan child-protection group is urging an investigation into sweets sold in cigarette-shaped packaging, warning they could make smoking seem familiar to children. Education: Preschool teachers are pressing for higher pay, job security and integration into the public sector; the new education minister has invited union representatives to talks. Arts: Casablanca’s Salon Émergences is set to showcase 50 emerging artists, while Marrakech’s Moroccan Poetry Festival has wrapped its eighth edition. Social Reform: Prime Minister Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri’s government has put youth opportunities, education and social support among its priorities, with a pledge of MAD 2 billion for Amazigh-language reforms.

Government & Society: Prime Minister Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri’s 2026–31 program pledges women’s empowerment, youth opportunities and stronger social support, including MAD 2 billion for Amazigh-language reforms. Education: After preschool teachers protested for better pay and public-sector jobs, the education minister invited union representatives to talks in Rabat. Arts & Heritage: Casablanca’s Salon Émergences will spotlight 50 emerging artists, while Marrakech’s Moroccan Poetry Festival has wrapped its eighth edition. El Jadida’s Salon du Cheval drew 160,000 visitors, celebrating equestrian traditions and Moroccan craftsmanship. Tangier Life: Palazzo d’Italia, the historic trattoria inside the former Moulay Hafid Palace, has reopened after an eight-month renovation. Rights: A coalition of UK groups is urging action for Moroccan activist Betty Lachgar, jailed over a T-shirt slogan; campaigners say her health is at risk. Family & Law: Moroccan courts approved more than 10,600 requests for underage marriage in 2024, down 17% from the previous year.

Amazigh Language: Morocco’s new government has pledged MAD 2 billion to expand Amazigh in schools, public administration, courts, media and signage, with regular reports on progress. Women in Public Life: Prime Minister Fatima Zahra El Mansouri’s program promises greater representation, economic opportunity and stronger protections for women. Her historic appointment has also revived debate over women’s leadership, after a former justice minister questioned whether a woman should lead the government. Emerging Arts: Casablanca’s Salon Émergences returns Nov. 4–Dec. 17 at Villa des Arts, showcasing 50 emerging artists through exhibitions, workshops and public events. Poetry & Equestrian Heritage: Marrakech’s eighth Moroccan Poetry Festival has wrapped up, while El Jadida’s Salon du Cheval drew 160,000 visitors for a celebration of Moroccan equestrian culture and craftsmanship.

Design: Morocco features twice in a 2026 roundup of standout sports architecture: Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, wrapped in champagne-coloured triangles, and Tangier’s expanded Grand Stadium. Emerging Art: Casablanca’s Salon Émergences returns Nov. 4–Dec. 17 with work by 50 emerging artists, workshops and free admission. Equestrian Heritage: El Jadida’s Salon du Cheval drew 160,000 visitors for six days of show jumping, Tbourida and cultural events. Poetry: Marrakech’s eighth Moroccan Poetry Festival closed after three days of readings, music and other arts, with strong public turnout. Child Welfare: Activists are urging an investigation into sweets packaged to resemble cigarette boxes, warning the design could make smoking seem appealing to children. Women and Girls: Moroccan courts approved more than 10,600 requests for underage marriage in 2024, despite a 17% drop. Inclusive Education: Rabat has opened University Lalla Asmaa, a university dedicated to hearing sciences and inclusive learning.

Poetry: Marrakech’s eighth Moroccan Poetry Festival has concluded after three days of readings, music and other arts, drawing poets and audiences from across the country. Equestrian Culture: Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presented the King Mohammed VI Showjumping Grand Prix in El Jadida, part of the city’s 17th Horse Show. Child Marriage: Courts approved 10,691 requests for underage marriage in 2024—about two-thirds of applications, 98.5% involving girls. Inclusive Education: Rabat has inaugurated University Lalla Asmaa, a university focused on hearing sciences and inclusive education. Heritage: Morocco has opened its first state-funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture in the Arab world.

Equestrian Heritage: Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presented the King Mohammed VI Showjumping Grand Prix in El Jadida, capping a horse show that also celebrated Moroccan traditions such as Tbourida. Women and Children: Moroccan courts approved 10,691 applications for underage marriage in 2024—about two-thirds of requests. Girls accounted for 98.5% of applications. Culture: Marrakech hosted the eighth Moroccan Poetry Festival, bringing writers and readers together for performances and literary events. Government and Equality: Fatima Zahra Mansouri became Morocco’s first female prime minister, leading a cabinet with seven women, including family and equality minister Najwa Koukouss. Inclusive Education: University Lalla Asmaa opened in Rabat, offering a university setting designed to expand access for people with hearing disabilities.

Marrakech Stay: Boutique riad Dar Al Dall has opened a 10-metre rooftop pool, with zellige tiles and Atlas Mountain views. Arts: Marrakech’s 8th Moroccan Poetry Festival brought writers and audiences together to celebrate verse. Living Heritage: El Jadida’s Salon du Cheval showcased Tbourida, the centuries-old equestrian performance recognised by UNESCO. Health: Sothema won approval for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health; they are not yet on sale. Tourism: Russian demand for Morocco trips nearly quadrupled in the first nine months of 2026, with better flight links among the factors cited. Education: Rabat inaugurated University Lalla Asmaa, a new institution focused on hearing sciences and inclusive education. Jewish Heritage: Fez has opened a museum dedicated to Moroccan Jewish culture in the city’s historic Mellah.

Poetry: Marrakech is hosting the 8th Moroccan Poetry Festival, bringing writers and audiences together to celebrate verse. Equestrian Heritage: The Salon du Cheval in El Jadida runs through October 18, with Tbourida performances showcasing a centuries-old tradition recognised by UNESCO. Inclusive Education: Princess Lalla Asmaa has inaugurated a Rabat university for hearing sciences, offering free courses to deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students. Heritage: Fez has opened the Arab world’s first state-funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture, in the city’s historic Mellah. Women in Public Life: Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri has become Morocco’s first female prime minister; seven women serve in her new cabinet. Health: Sothema has won approval for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with a Moroccan research foundation, though they are not yet on sale.

Government & Equality: Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri has become Morocco’s first female head of government. Her 32-member cabinet includes seven women and a new ministry for artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Living Heritage: Tbourida, Morocco’s centuries-old equestrian performance, took centre stage at the 17th El Jadida Horse Show; the tradition was added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list in 2021. Inclusive Education: Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated a Rabat university for hearing sciences, where deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students can study together, with tuition-free programs. Emerging Artists: Casablanca’s Salon Émergences returns November 4, showcasing 43 artists from 18 cities, with women making up nearly half the lineup. Jewish Heritage: Fez has opened Morocco’s first state-funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture, in the city’s historic Mellah.

Women in Government: Morocco’s new 32-member cabinet was sworn in under Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the country’s first female prime minister. Seven women hold posts, one more than in the previous government. Inclusive Education: Princess Lalla Asmaa opened a Rabat university bringing deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students together, with free courses in hearing sciences. Her foundation says more than 1,100 Moroccans have received cochlear implants at no cost. Heritage & Travel: Fez’s first state-funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture has opened in the historic Mellah, while Marrakech is drawing attention as a set-jetting destination for film-inspired travel. Arts & Tradition: El Jadida’s 17th Salon du Cheval brings Moroccan craftsmanship and equestrian culture into the spotlight.

Literature: Moroccan critic Hamid El-Kattani was among those honoured at the 12th Katara Prize for Arabic Novel, which also recognized writers from across the Arab world. Craft & Heritage: El Jadida’s Salon du Cheval celebrated the artisans behind traditional saddles, rifles and textiles, spotlighting skills passed down through generations. Culture: Fez has opened a state-funded museum dedicated to Moroccan Jewish heritage, while a new partnership between the national police and the National Museums Foundation aims to protect the country’s cultural heritage. Education: UEMF and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne inaugurated a shared campus in Fez, expanding French academic programs and research opportunities in Morocco. Travel: A new feature follows an ancient seasonal migration in the High Atlas alongside local herders; meanwhile, Essaouira is drawing attention as a sunny November escape, with flights from £15 and temperatures around 22°C.

Cultural Heritage: Morocco’s National Security services and National Museums Foundation have agreed to work together to protect museums and prevent the theft, forgery and illicit trade of artefacts. Inclusive Education: Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated a university in Rabat designed for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students to study side by side, with free courses in hearing sciences and sign languages. Food Security: Morocco ranks in the Global Hunger Index’s low-hunger category, but the report estimates that 6.5% of the population is undernourished and 13.7% of children under five are stunted. Cultural Travel: A new luxury tour collection will bring visitors in Morocco closer to local experts and long-held traditions, including herding.

Jewish Heritage: Fez has opened Morocco’s first public museum devoted entirely to Jewish culture, with artifacts and stories tracing a 2,500-year history. Living Traditions: Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan opened the 17th El Jadida Horse Show, spotlighting the country’s equestrian heritage. Travel: Rabat features in Lonely Planet’s 2027 guide, while a planned Four Seasons resort in Tangier will add a high-end coastal stay. Women in Public Life: Fatima Zahra El Mansouri has formed a coalition to lead Morocco’s government as its first female prime minister, a landmark appointment that renews debate about how representation can advance women’s rights. Cultural Preservation: Morocco’s police and National Museums Foundation have agreed to work together to protect the country’s cultural heritage.

Jewish Heritage: Fez has opened a 1,700-square-metre Museum of Moroccan Jewish Culture, the first publicly funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture in an Arab-Muslim country. Its collection traces 2,500 years of history through religious objects, manuscripts, crafts and family traditions. Living Traditions: The El Jadida Horse Show, running through October 18, brings together 1,100 horses and 700 riders from 50 countries, celebrating horsemanship and its place in Moroccan heritage. Women and Power: Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri’s rise to prime minister is a landmark, but representation alone does not guarantee greater rights or resources for women, an analysis notes. Freedom of Assembly: Reports of injuries and mass detentions at an October 11 Palestine solidarity protest in Tangier raise concerns about protections for peaceful expression and assembly.

Heritage & Equestrian Culture: Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan opened El Jadida’s 17th Horse Show and visited a UAE pavilion showcasing traditional crafts, dress and Arabian horses. Jewish Heritage: Fez has opened a museum in its historic Mellah, giving Moroccan Jewish history a permanent home and connecting its artifacts to the city’s living heritage. Language & Faith: Morocco is expanding Amazigh use in public administration and has published the first Amazigh translation of the Quran’s meanings in Tachelhit. Arts: Moroccan theater has lost Aziz Seghrouchni, remembered as a major figure in the stage arts. World Cup 2030: Netflix will stream the tournament in Spain and Andorra; Morocco, a co-host with Spain and Portugal, will welcome fans as the competition marks its centenary.