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.

Ghalia Mokhtari

Ghalia Mokhtari est avocat au barreau de Casablanca. Elle agit principalement sur des problématiques bancaires et de financement de projets, notamment dans les secteurs de l’énergie et des infrastructures.

Son intervention sur des dossiers stratégiques tant au Maroc (notamment le financement des projets Tarfaya, JLEC 5&6, SAFI, projets 13-09) qu’à l’international lui ont permis de développer une connaissance approfondie du secteur de l’énergie au Maroc.

Ghalia Mokhtari est diplômée de l’Université Panthéon-Assas en droit privé et de l’Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées en financement de projets. Elle suit actuellement un Executive Master in Public Administration and Policy à la London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

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.

Executive, Director and Board Member, Hepion Pharmaceuticals

Kaouthar Lbiati (MD)

Dr. Kaouthar Lbiati, is an executive and board member in international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. She is also a strategic advisor to think-tanks on issues related to investment strategies, industrial production and commercialization of pharmaceutical products, as well as on aspects related to policy, industrial and digital transformation reforms of health systems in middle-income countries.

Dr. Lbiati holds a PhD in Medicine from Mohammed V University in Rabat/Morocco. She also holds a master’s degree in strategy and management from ESSEC Business School in France and a master’s degree in international politics and health economics from the London School of Economics and political sciences (LSE) in the UK. She is currently based in the United States.

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.

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.

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.

Honorary President

Mohamed Driss Alaoui Mdaghri

Professor Driss Alaoui Mdaghri is a university teacher, writer and poet. He currently heads the Fès Saiss Association, the Foundation for World Cultures, the Advisory Board of “ESSEC Africa”, the Jury of Research Awards in Economics and Management of the ” l’Économiste ” and the Board of Directors of the Salima Holding company.

Driss Alaoui Mdaghri was a minister for almost ten years. He has held the following portfolios: Minister of communication and government spokesman (1995-1998), minister of youth and sports (1993-1995), minister of energy and mines (1990-1993), and secretary of state for foreign affairs in charge of the Arab Maghreb Union (1989-1990).

Driss Alaoui Mdaghri led many organizations. He headed the Higher Institute of Commerce and Business Administration (ISCAE), the first management school in Morocco from 1976 to 1982. He also led the Islamic Center for Trade Development (CIDC), which is a subsidiary organ of the Organization of the Islamic Conference from 1982 to 1989. Moreover, he led many local and regional institutions such as the Maghreb Center for Administrative Studies and Research in Algiers, the Sucrerie Nationale Of Tadla and the Compensation Fund in Morocco.

Driss Alaoui Mdaghri holds a PhD in Law from Nice University. He is also a graduate in sociology and holds a graduate degree in management from the International Center for Professional and Technical Development of the BIT in Turin.

He is the author of several works in various fields: “Law and Management of Public Enterprises in Morocco”, “En Quête de Mots”, “Regards Obliques”, “Librement”, “Casablanca”, “Advertising in Morocco” , “Poetic Refugee”, “Follow Your Way”….

General Secretary at CCI

Mohamed Ourdedine

Mohamed Ourdedine holds a law degree in political science and a graduate diploma in management from ISCAE.

After an experience in several sectors, like maritime trade, ships exploitation, higher education, real estate, the associative sector and the council, he is currently the general secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Morocco CCI and the secretary of the Moroccan Court of Arbitration.

Associate Director at Online Value Agency

Fatim-Zahra Saadani

Fatim-Zahra Saadani is associate director of the Online Value agency specialized in digital marketing. She is also mandated to specific missions related to institutional communication in general, influence and E-reputation in particular.

For six years, she held the position of Head of Communication within Casablanca Finance City Authority. The position allowed her to understand the regional institutional universe.

Fatim-zahra Saadani was previously the Executive Director within Saga Memac Ogilvy. With over a 15 years experience in the field of Communication and Public Relations, she has held strategic positions in a communication and press relations consulting agency. In 2010 she was appointed expert member of the cultural council of the Elysée cell of the Union for the Mediterranean. In 2012, she was named member of the board of directors of Al Amana.

Fatim-zahra Saadani holds a diploma in business administration, specialized in marketing communication and public relations. She has also received a short training in parliamentary lobbying at Sciences Po Paris.

She is also active with a number of charities.

Economist

Mohamed H’midouche

Mohamed H’Midouche is an economist by training. He spent his entire professional career (36 years) in the African Development Bank (BAD) group where he held the following positions: Personal Assistant to the President; Deputy Director at the European office in London; Head of the Cooperation Unit; Resident Representative in Egypt; Non-Resident Representative in Tunisia; Regional Resident Representative in West Africa, Director and Vice-President and Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Review and Implementation of the Decentralization Strategy of the African Development Bank Group (BAD).

After leaving the African Development Bank in July 2014, Mohamed H’Midouche has carried out the following activities, among others: CEO of the INTER AFRICA CAPITAL GROUP (IACG); Executive Vice-President of the African Diplomatic Academy; General Delegate for North Africa and the Middle East; responsible for International Cooperation and Development; Honorary Consul of Cape Verde in Morocco; Vice-President of the Moroccan Association of Exporters; Member of the Moroccan Institute of International Relations (IMRI).