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Rabat – Forbes Middle East has unveiled its annual list of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s “100 Most Powerful Businesswomen” for the year 2023, celebrating the region’s leading “business titans.”
The ranking featured five Moroccan businesswomen, who made it to the list thanks to the size of their successful businesses, their individual impact, achievements, and performance over the last year, as well as other initiatives that they led.
Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch
Moroccan businesswoman Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch, who is the wife of the current head of the Moroccan government Aziz Akhannouch, ranked 17th on the list. Akhannouch is no stranger to such distinctions, as she has been featured in several of Forbes’ annual lists.
She is the founder and CEO of retail company AKSAL Group. Founded in 2004, the group has more than 1,130 employees and is the exclusive franchisee for 45 “leading” brands in Morocco, including Zara, Gucci, Armani, and Fendi, Forbes indicated.
Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun
Meanwhile, Moroccan businesswoman Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun ranked 19th on the Forbes list. Chaqroun is a Director and Administrator at her family business Holmarcom Group, which she joined in 1989.
She is also the Vice-Chairwoman and CEO of mineral water company Les Eaux Minerales d’Oulmes, which recorded $178 million in revenues in 2021, according to the American magazine.
Rita Maria Zniber
With more than 40 years of experience, Moroccan businesswoman Rita Maria Zniber came 33rd on the list. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Diana Holding, which operates in the food and beverage sector.
Diana Holding has a “diverse business portfolio,” indicated the statement, explaining that the company’s business activities include agriculture, plastics, olive growing, and sea products, as well as, distribution, and retail.
Lamia Tazi
Forbes Middle East placed Morocco’s Lamia Tazi in the 65th spot. In 1997, she joined the 100% Moroccan pharmaceutical company Sothema, where she now holds the position of Chairwoman and CEO, overseeing 1,000 staff.
In addition to her positions at Sothema, which produces around 60 million pharmaceutical products per year, Tazi is the chairwoman of the Omar TAZI Foundation and a general board member at agriculture and natural extradition company, Azerys.
Saida Karim Lamrani
The fifth Moroccan businesswoman on the list is Saida Karim Lamrani, ranking in the 80th place. Born in 1945 in the city of Fez, Lamrani is the Executive Vice-President of retail company Holdings Safari, which encompasses several international brands, including Lacoste, Jaguar, and BMW.
The Moroccan businesswoman is the daughter of the late Mohammed Karim Lamrani, who served as the head of the Moroccan government between 1971 and 1994.
The ranking features 100 businesswomen, representing 27 different nationalities across 27 sectors. Emirati businesswomen dominated the list with 15 entries, followed by Egypt with 12 entries.
Meanwhile, 11 Saudi Arabian businesswomen were included in the list, followed by eight from Kuwait. Lebanon, Oman, and Qatar followed with six entries each.
