 |
Aziz AkhannouchPrime Minister of Morocco since October 7, 2021
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Morocco |
Content:
- Aziz Akhannouch: From Business Tycoon to Prime Minister of Morocco
- Business Career
- Political Career
- Leadership during the Pandemic and Premiership
- Family
Aziz Akhannouch: From Business Tycoon to Prime Minister of Morocco
Early Life and EducationAziz Akhannouch was born in Casablanca, Morocco, where he received his primary and secondary education. In 1986, he graduated from the University of Sherbrooke with a degree in management.
Business Career
Akhannouch is the CEO of Akwa Group, a Moroccan conglomerate heavily involved in the oil and gas sector. As of November 2013, Forbes estimated his net worth at $1.4 billion. Akhannouch inherited Akwa Group from his father.
Through his holding company, Akwa, Akhannouch owns around 60 companies, including Afriquia, Tissir Gaz, National Gaz, Ultra Gaz, Mini Brahim, Speedy, Oasis Café, Maghreb Oxygène, Nissa Min Al Maghrib, Femmes du Maroc, La Nouvelle Tribune, Le Courrier de l'Atlas, and La Vie Economique. In 2020, Akhannouch ranked 21st on Forbes' annual list of the world's richest Arabs.
Political Career
From 2003 to 2007, Akhannouch served as President of the Souss-Massa-Drâa regional council. He was a member of the National Rally of Independents (RNI) before leaving in January 2012.
In September 2007, Akhannouch was appointed Minister of Agriculture. On August 23, 2013, King Mohammed VI appointed him acting Minister of Finance after members of the Istiqlal Party withdrew from Abdelilah Benkirane's cabinet, and he held that position until October 9, 2013.
On October 29, 2016, Akhannouch rejoined the RNI after being elected its president. In February 2020, King Mohammed VI entrusted Akhannouch with the mission of devising the kingdom's agricultural development strategy by 2030. This new plan, called "Green Generation," is a continuation of the "Green Morocco Plan."
Leadership during the Pandemic and Premiership
In March 2020, through his company Afriquia, a subsidiary of the Akwa Group, Akhannouch donated about one billion dirhams ($103.5 million) to the Fund for the Management of the Coronavirus Pandemic, established by King Mohammed VI.
In the 2021 parliamentary elections, Akhannouch's RNI party emerged victorious, securing 102 out of 395 seats. On September 10, 2021, Aziz was appointed Prime Minister by Mohammed VI. He formed his new government on September 22, and on October 7, 2021, Akhannouch took office as the new Prime Minister of Morocco.
Family
Akhannouch is married to Salwa Idrissi, a businesswoman who owns a company operating shopping malls and holds Moroccan franchises for brands such as Gap, Zara, and Galeries Lafayette.
