Who Is Abdessamad Kayouh, Morocco’s New Transport and Logistics Minister?

Rabat – Abdessamad Kayouh, a veteran politician and businessman, has been appointed Morocco’s new Minister of Transport and Logistics.

Born in Oulad Tayma, in the Taroudant province, Kayouh has been a prominent figure within the Istiqlal Party for over a decade and has become one of the most influential personalities from the Souss-Massa region, recognized for his contributions to both regional and national development.

Kayouh replaces Mohammed Abdeljali, who previously held the transport portfolio. As Kayouh steps into this new role, he is expected to bring his extensive political and economic experience to bear on one of Morocco’s most critical sectors.

The new minister’s political journey began in 1997 when he was elected as a deputy representing his home region. His early involvement in politics marked the beginning of a long career that saw him take on several pivotal roles.

A telling instance is his appointment as a Minister of Handicrafts from 2012 to 2013, in which he played an instrumental role in modernizing Morocco’s artisanal sector.

In 2018, he was elected first vice-president of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Moroccan parliament, where he was involved in shaping legislative reforms and fostering international relations.

Beyond his political career, Kayouh holds a strong academic background that complements his work in public office. He earned a degree in international trade from Casablanca and later pursued a master’s degree in political science. He also completed advanced training in agricultural management in South Africa and the US.

These experiences were key as he took on leadership of his family’s agricultural business, where he merged modern business practices with traditional farming techniques.

In 2024, Kayouh was elected second vice-president of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the parliament, further solidifying his status as a prominent figure in Morocco’s legislative sphere.

In his new role, Kayouh faces the critical challenge of modernizing Morocco’s transport infrastructure, a sector vital to the country’s economic growth and international competitiveness.

As Morocco looks to establish itself as a key logistical hub in Africa and beyond, Kayouh’s leadership will be decisive in overseeing necessary reforms and ensuring the transport network meets the demands of an expanding economy.

Kayouh’s appointment as transport minister comes amid a major government reshuffle, initiated in response to mounting public and political criticism directed at the performance of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s outgoing cabinet.

Various sectors, including opposition parties and civil society groups, have raised concerns about the government’s ability to address pressing issues such as inflation, unemployment, and infrastructure development. The reshuffle is seen as a move to inject new energy into the cabinet and align it more closely with national priorities.

The reshuffle was formalized during a ceremony at the royal palace in Rabat, where King Mohammed VI received the newly appointed ministers.