Morocco Launches MAD 1 Billion National Research and Innovation Program in Partnership with OCP Group
Benguerir, The Gulf Observer: In a major stride toward advancing Morocco’s scientific and technological landscape, the Ministry of Higher Education and the OCP Group officially launched a new National Program for Scientific Research and Innovation during a high-profile ceremony held on Monday in Benguerir.
The event was marked by the signing of a framework agreement between Minister of Higher Education Azeddine El Madini and Mostafa Terrab, CEO of the OCP Group. The agreement signals a long-term commitment to making scientific research and innovation central to Morocco’s development, with a focus on high-priority national issues.
The program will be supported by a MAD 1 billion budget over the next four years, jointly funded by the Ministry and the OCP Group. A dedicated MAD 200 million will be allocated to involve Moroccan experts residing abroad in strengthening the national research and innovation ecosystem.
“This initiative will empower Morocco to become a global leader in scientific excellence by investing in young talent and research in strategic fields,” said Minister El Madini.
Key goals of the program include fostering scientific excellence, supporting early-career researchers, increasing funding for Moroccan research institutions, and strengthening the country’s position in global innovation networks.
The program is a collaboration between the OCP Foundation, the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). It adopts a collaborative funding model, bringing together several national institutions in pursuit of shared research objectives.
Strategic Focus Areas
The initiative will prioritize research in critical national sectors, including:
- Water resources
- Phosphate extraction and processing
- Health and medical sciences
- Food security
- Renewable energy
- Humanities and social sciences
UM6P will play a pivotal role by contributing cutting-edge laboratories, infrastructure, and global research partnerships to accelerate outcomes and deliver tangible benefits.
Sub-Programs to Drive Innovation
The first edition of the national program will be implemented through three dedicated sub-programs:
- The Ibn Battuta Program – Aimed at supporting young researchers in developing robust and impactful research careers.
- The Ibn Al-Banna Program – Focused on research projects in high-priority areas with strong innovation potential.
- The Nafzawiya Program – Designed to facilitate the transfer of research into economic value, emphasizing technology transfer and commercialization.
Three implementation agreements were signed during the launch event, solidifying the operational framework of these sub-programs.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures in the education and research sectors, including Abdelhadi Sahib, Secretary General of the OCP Foundation; Jamila El Alami, Director of CNRST; and Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P, along with a wide range of academics and institutional representatives.
This national program represents a transformative investment in Morocco’s knowledge economy and reinforces the country’s ambition to become a hub for scientific innovation in Africa and beyond.
