Our experts

Economist

Papa Demba Thiam

Professor, researcher investor and private entrepreneur for value chains development before working as an international expert serving the Swiss and German governments, Dr. Papa Demba Thiam was successively Products and Markets Development Coordinator , projects  director for private sector and trade development for ACP countries (Africa Caribbean Pacific) in liaison with the European Commission, international consultant to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and to the European Commission, International civil servant at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and lead competitiveness economist at the Sahel and West Africa Club. From May 2003 to October 2016, Dr. Thiam worked as international civil servant at the World Bank before leaving this last institution on early retirement. He is currently developing operational and advisory products and services in the area of strategic Public-Private Partnerships on value chains to support local resource-based industrial development in Africa, including the development of urban industrial agglomerations and integrated economic clusters that are linked to national economies such as multi-purpose industrial parks and integrated agro-industrial parks among others. Dr. Thiam authored many publications in the areas on economic integration, manufacturing poverty and multilateralism. He christened innovative approaches to resilient inclusive growth with his “interface strategies for value chains based industrial development” published in 1991 by Peter Land Editions, Bern, Switzerland.

Doctor of economic science

Ahmed Azirar

Ahmed Azirar holds a PhD in Economics. He also holds national and foreign certificates in international management, international negotiation and project management. He is a university professor of economics, international trade and market intelligence. He has experience in administrative management, ministerial cabinet and business, administrative and professional association counseling. He is the founder of the Moroccan Association of Business Economists AMEEN, co-founder of the Moroccan Institute of Strategic Intelligence IMIS and the MOROCCAN ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC SCIENCES AMSE. Hi is also an associate researcher at the Royal Institute for Strategic Studies IRES. He received the Wissam of the Order of Merit of the Kingdom of Morocco in 2014 and a distinction for services rendered by the World Customs Organization in 2011.

Dean of the Solbridge International School of Business, South Korea

Hamid Bouchikhi

Hamid Bouchikhi is  the dean of the Solbridge International School of Business, in South Korea. Before that, M. Bouchkhi was professor of management and entrepreneurship at the Higher School of Economic and Commercial Sciences ESSEC, of ​​which he founded and managed the center of entrepreneurship. His researches focus on the organizational theory, entrepreneurship and managerial innovation. He participates on a regular basis in the Moroccan public debate and intervenes with company directors on questions of strategy, management, innovation and change management.

Executive Partner at Mazars

Nabil bayahya

Nabil Bayahya is currently an executive partner in Mazars Audit et Conseil, an international firm. He is an expert in institutional and organizational issues. He has lead several strategic studies for public authorities and the private sector. He is also a master’s teacher, author of many publications, and a radio columnist. Nabil Bayahya is also president of the Moroccan Association for Management Consulting AMCM, member of the Scientific Orientation Committee of The Center of Social, Economic and Managerial Studies CESEM, and a mentor within Endeavor and MentorElles. He is also a member of the international network leanin.org. Nabil Bayahya is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and HEC Paris.

Editor of l’Economiste

Mohamed Benabid

Mohamed Benabid is the editor of l’Economiste. He holds a double PhD in management sciences and in information and communication sciences. He has also graduated from the Strasbourg School of Journalism. He was part of the main core that created The Moroccan Association of Economic Intelligence AMIE in 2006. He also provides teaching and research activities as an associate member of the research laboratory in scientific engineering of organizations (ISO) at the National Business and Management School ENCG Casablanca-Hassan II University and as a university professor in journalism, media and communication.

Economics Professor at Mohammed V University of Rabat

Mouna Cherkaoui

Mouna Cherkaoui has been an economics professor at the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences at Mohammed V University in Rabat-Agdal since 1989. She has also been an advisor for the Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister. Moreover, she has taught at many foreign universities and has carried out research and consultancy work for various organizations at the national as well as the international level. Mouna Cherkaoui holds a master’s and a PHD in economics with a specialization in international business and finance from Arizona State University.

CEO of La Marocaine Des Jeux et Des Sports (MDJS)

Younes El Mecharfi

Younes El Mechrafi is the CEO of La Marocaine Des Jeux et Des Sports (MDJS), . He began his professional career in France, in a unit of the National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) as a research professor. Back in Morocco, he joined SOMAV. In 2003, he held the position of Special Advisor of the Minister in the Department of Justice. In 2006, Younes El Mechrafi joined the private sector as the CEO of Archos Conseil, a computer engineering Service Company, a subsidiary of the ONA group. He holds a master’s degree MIAGE and a DESS in computer engineering from the University of Lille.

Executive Associate at 6TEMIK

Souad Elmallem

Souad Elmallem is an executive associate at 6TEMIK. She is a public figure in the business community in Morocco and North America. Her professional career began with Nortel Networks / FCI and progressed towards a brilliant transition within the Bombardier group between 2001 and 2015. Souad Elmallem is a law graduate. She also holds a BA in production operations management and information system from HEC Montréal. In 2013, she was decorated with the Royal Wissam du Grand Mérite from His Majesty the King of Morocco in recognition of her contribution to the development of the Moroccan aerospace industry.

Hospitality and Tourism Consultant

Ali Ghannam

Ali Ghannam is a hospitality and tourism consultant. He is also the founder and manager of “Al’ Spatium “hospitality & leisure. He pursued a career as manager of several groups and investment funds in the same sector for 30 years. He is also a member of the Moroccan Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE). He teaches management and finance in universities and advanced schools. He was president of the National Confederation of Moroccan Tourism and the National Federation of hospitality industry and member of the board of directors of The General Confederation of Enterprises in Morocco (CGEM) as well as several other organizations. He also holds a graduate degree in economics in 1988.

Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee

Larbi Belarbi

Larbi Belarbi is the chairman of the committee of economic affairs and strategic projects of the Moroccan Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE). He is also the chairman of the Academic Committee of Al Akhawayn University Ifrane. He was Co-Chair of the Canadian Committee on Trade and Employment in the Iron and Steel Industry. In 1996, LarbiBelarbiis named director of the Moroccan TV Channel “2M”and in August 2001, he was appointed by H.M. the King CEO of SOMACA. In July 2008, he was appointed Advisor to the President of the Renault group for the Euromed Africa region. Larbi Belarbi is a graduate of ESC Lyon and holds an MBA from HEC Paris. He was decorated with the Wissam Alaouite of knight and officer ranks.

Associate in BearingPoint

Jean-Michel Huet

Jean-Michel Huet is an associate in the BearingPoint firm. He manages the Africa & International Development (A&ID) activities of BearingPoint. He has also worked for over ten years in more than half of the countries of the African continent for their development and transformation. He opened the firm’s Casablanca office in 2011. He previously worked at France Telecom and PwC. Jean-Michel Huet is a graduate of Sciences-Po Paris and of Neoma Business School.

Socio-economist

Aziz Chaker

Aziz Chaker is a socio-economist. He was a research professor at the Faculty of Law of Fez from 1979 to 2005 as well as the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economy in Rabat between 1997 and 2000. He is an expert consultant in social development and a member of the board of the Institute for training and support for development initiatives at Sciences Po Bordeaux. Aziz Chaker graduated in 1976 from the University of Social Sciences Pierre Mendès France in Grenoble.

Director of International Relations and Partnerships at (UIR)

Hakima Fassi-Fihri

Hakima Fassi Fihri is the Director of International Relations and Partnerships at the International University of Rabat (UIR). She has been a member of its Management Board since 2011. She also teaches there “Family Law” and “Feminist Theory”. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Law at Mohammed V University in Rabat and the University of Grenoble-Alpes. She is one of the authors of the collective book “The heritage of women in Morocco”, published in 2017 by Empreintes Editions.

Vice-President at Cyotvia Therapeutics

Kaouthar Lbiati

Dr. Lbiati earned a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Mohammed V University in Morocco in 2006 and a post-graduate diploma in clinical oncology from Gustave Roussy Institute in Paris. In 2009, she obtained a specialized Executive Master’s degree in Strategy & Management from ESSEC Business School in France followed by a Master’s degree in International Policy and Health Economics from the world-renowned London School of Economics (LSE) in 2016.

For over a decade, Dr. Lbiati has served in leadership roles of increasing complexity and responsibilities at several world leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations: Amgen, Immune Pharmaceuticals, Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), Sanofi, and AstraZeneca.

Since 2020, she is a member of the Strategic Council and Vice-President at Cyotvia Therapeutics.

Her areas of interests include health policies, health economics, health technologies, pharmaceutical industry, biotechnologies, entrepreneurship & startups specialized in health.

Executive Partner at Mazars

Nabil Boubrahimi

Nabil Bayahya is currently an executive partner in Mazars Audit et Conseil, an international firm. He is an expert in institutional and organizational issues. He has lead several strategic studies for public authorities and the private sector. He is also a master’s teacher, author of many publications, and a radio columnist. Nabil Bayahya is also president of the Moroccan Association for Management Consulting AMCM, member of the Scientific Orientation Committee of The Center of Social, Economic and Managerial Studies CESEM, and a mentor within Endeavor and MentorElles. He is also a member of the international network leanin.org. Nabil Bayahya is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and HEC Paris.

Public Policies and Human Rights consultant

Ouafae Benabdenbi

Ouafae Ben Abdennebi is a public policy and human rights consultant. From 1987 to 2008, she worked for the Ministry of Employment where she held several responsibilities in international cooperation. She joined the Council of the Moroccan community living abroad CCME in 2008 where she carried out several works on migration issues. Ouafae Ben Abdennebi holds a master’s degree in public law, a BA in political science and a Graduate degree (DES) in international relations.

Professor of Public Law and Political Science

Abdelhamid Benkhattab

Abdelhamid Benkhattab is a professor of public law and political science at the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences at Mohammed V Rabat – Agdal University. He is also the Vice-President of the Moroccan Political Science Association. He has collaborated, as an expert lecturer, with many international and national organizations. He is the author of several researches and academic works on democracy, political participation and the behavior of political actors.

Development and human rights consultant

Naima Senhadji

Naima Senhadji is a freelance consultant for national and international organizations in the fields of development and human rights. She is also president of the NGO Support Committee for the Schooling of Rural Girls. She was previously a senior official in the social sectors and international relations. Naima Senhadji is a graduate sociologist from Lyon 2 University.

Associate Professor of Economics

Chiraz El Azizi

Chiraz El Azizi is a ‘normalienne’ i.e a French civil servant representing a portion of the student body, admitted via a highly-selective competitive examination process representing the top level of research-training education in the French university system. Chiraz El Azizi became a ‘professeur agrégé’ in Economics and Management at the age of twenty-three. Graduating from SciencesPo and adding a Master’s Degree in Law and Economic Globalization, her work primarily regards the economic analysis of law. She is also a member of the ENS Middle East Mediterranean Chair, where her research focuses on the socio-economic and religious dynamics of the region. Passionate about major contemporary issues, she has given several lectures at the Collège des Bernardins.

Lawyer

Omar Benjelloun

Omar Benjelloun holds a PhD in International Development Law from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. He is a lawyer in France and Morocco and defends international human rights causes. Omar Benjelloun is also an associate teacher at several universities. Moreover, he is an expert-speaker in research centers and international conferences on constitutionalism, economic law and Mediterranean issues. He is the author of articles and interviews in French and Arabic in scientific and press reviews.

PhD in Economics and Management

Hafsa El Bekri

Hafsa El Bekri holds a PhD in economics and management. She is a graduate of the National School of Commerce and Management (ENCG) in International Trade. She is the author of several scientific articles about the new trends in the world economy, the problems of the countries of the South and the South-South banking internationalization published and presented in Oxford, in the United States and in France.

Strategic Intelligence Expert

Rachad Jebari

Rachad Jebari is an expert in economic intelligence. It’s a title issued by the Economic Warfare School of Paris. He is also a state engineer in computer engineering graduated from EMI (1998). He is currently a Consulting Manager within the Mazars Cabinet. Rachad Jebari has twenty years of experience in strategy consulting, telecommunications and information technology in Morocco and France.

Strategic intelligence expert

Thibault Chanteperdrix

Thibault Chanteperdrix is ​​an expert in economic and strategic intelligence. He is a graduate in economics and holder of an MBA from the Economic Warfare School of Paris. Thibault Chanteperdrix held civil-military management positions for the benefit of a French institutional player for 10 years. After his conversion, he has led consulting missions in Competitive intelligence and public relations. He is now the manager of the Delta Knowledge Group.

He is developing a recognized expertise in information and geo-economic issues related to the African continent and the Middle East area.

CSR Expert

Safae Derj

Safae Derj is currently a CSR expert. She has held the positions of CSR auditor at Vigeo-Eiris and a social economy SE research officer at ORSE – Paris. She is a development socio-anthropologist graduate of the Paris-Descartes and Aix-Marseille universities. She is expert in stakeholder dialogue in a participatory approach to change management.

Consultant in the Digital Transformation Strategy field

Camelia Dinia

Camelia Dinia is a consultant in the Digital Transformation Strategy field. 

She has followed a track in Economical Intelligence & Security at Institut Des Hautes Etudes de Sécurité of the Parisian’s Military School (France). She also has a Master Of Science in Strategy & Influence from SKEMA Business School. During her academic track, Camelia took part in an exchange program at the University of Ben Gurion (Israel) where she studied Cybersecurity.

Camelia Dinia obtained as well a Master’s degree in Tourism and Luxury Hotel Industry Management at the Ecole Supérieur d’Hôtellerie de Paris, in partnership with the University of South Bank in London.

Besides, she grew an expertise in medical tourism and government strategies, notably by co-producing a thesis on strategic positioning of Morocco in the medical tourism sector.

Today, Camelia works with companies in the tourism sector such as the ACCOR Group in order to ease digital transformation.