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Marrakesh Hosts 2nd Annual North Africa Investor Conference

A view of Marrakesh, Morocco. (Getty Images)
A view of Marrakesh, Morocco. (Getty Images)
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Marrakesh Hosts 2nd Annual North Africa Investor Conference

A view of Marrakesh, Morocco. (Getty Images)
A view of Marrakesh, Morocco. (Getty Images)

Marrakesh will host the second Annual North Africa Investor Conference on Jan. 23-22, with the participation of international investors representing Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Renaissance Capital (RenCap), which initiated the conference, noted that this year’s session will cover topics such as competitiveness, and manufacturing in the MENA region. Special emphasis will be put on investment and growth opportunities in Morocco and Egypt.

This edition will witness the participation of giant investors from Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK, US and other countries.

RenCap revealed that the total financial assets under management for participating investors exceed USD2 trillion.

It added that businessmen and companies from Egypt and Morocco booked 200 appointments with investors in the conference.

Amr Helal, Chief Executive Officer at Renaissance Capital, stated that choosing Morocco to host the conference launched from its progress in manufacturing in addition to being one of the most stable countries politically and economically.

Helal added that Morocco is anticipated to witness an economic growth from 4-6 percent in this decade. This would provide investment opportunities, given the Moroccan strategy in manufacturing.

He continued that the conference will also include an international seminar on manufacturing under a new economic approach. Political and industrial decision-makers, as well as prominent figures and businessmen from the region and the world, will take part in it.

Renaissance Capital had held the first Annual North Africa Investor Conference in South Africa in April. The focus of the conference was on Egypt, where RenCap opened a branch a year ago.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.