Who is Ahmed El Bouari, the Technocrat Taking Over the Agriculture Portfolio?

Doha – In a government reshuffle on Wednesday, King Mohammed VI appointed Ahmed El Bouari as the new Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests. El Bouari replaces Mohamed Sadiki of the National Rally of Independents (RNI) party, who was considered a close ally of Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch.

The appointment comes as part of a broader cabinet shakeup that saw the integration of six new secretaries of state, two from each party in the governing coalition – a move seen as bolstering the representation of the RNI, PAM and Istiqlal parties. Key ministries like Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Islamic Affairs remained unchanged.

So who is the new Agriculture Minister tasked with overseeing this critical sector of Morocco’s economy?

A technocrat with over two decades of experience, El Bouari has served since June 2023 as the Director of Irrigation and Agricultural Development at the very ministry he will now lead. Prior to that, he was appointed in September 2018 as the Director of Irrigation and Agricultural Land Planning. In these roles, he oversaw major projects like the inter-basin water transfer from the Sebou River to the Bouregreg River basin.

The Ouezzane native also headed the Development Division at the Directorate of Irrigation and Agricultural Land Planning from 2009-2013. He began his career as an engineer in a World Bank-financed project coordination unit.

El Bouari, 60, is also a prominent figure in the RNI party, having recently been re-elected as President of the party’s association of engineers. He holds leadership roles in national and international professional associations in the irrigation and agricultural development fields.

As minister, El Bouari will be expected to continue the modernization and expansion of Morocco’s agriculture sector, which accounts for over 12% of GDP. Key challenges include increasing productivity and resilience in the face of climate change, supporting rural development, ensuring food security, and tackling the severe drought that has afflicted the country in recent years, leading to water scarcity and reduced agricultural yields.

The agriculture portfolio is one of the most strategically important in the Moroccan government. El Bouari’s appointment suggests a desire for continuity and technocratic expertise as the country seeks to further develop this pillar of the economy.