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Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation has joined forces with OCP Group to launch a new national program to support research and development. The program will run from 2025 to 2028.
The launch ceremony took place on Monday in Benguerir, where Minister of Higher Education, Azeddine El Madini, signed a framework agreement with the CEO of the OCP Group, Mostafa Terrab. The agreement aims to make scientific research and innovation key drivers of Morocco’s development by focusing on priority topics.
The program will receive a total budget of MAD 1 billion, jointly funded by the ministry and the OCP Group. The funding will be spread over four years. MAD 200 million will be dedicated to involving Moroccan experts living abroad in the national research and innovation system.
The program aims to support scientific excellence in key strategic fields, train a new generation of young researchers, attract more funding and resources for Morocco’s research system, and help Morocco become a global leader in research and innovation.
The program is a partnership between the OCP Foundation, the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P).
The program uses a collaborative approach based on shared funding and cooperation among several national institutions.
It focuses on key national priorities like water resources, phosphate extraction and processing, health, food security, renewable energy, and humanities and social sciences.
Meanwhile, UM6P is set to contribute through its advanced laboratories, infrastructure, and international partnerships to help speed up the results and positive impact of the program.
The first edition of the national program includes three sub-programs, including the Ibn Battuta Program to support young researchers and help them build strong research careers.
The Ibn Al-Banna Program will focus on high-priority topics with great potential for innovation, while the Nafzawiya Program is set to encourage turning research results into real economic value through technology transfer.
Three agreements were signed during the launch event to implement these sub-programs. The ceremony was attended by many key figures, including OCP Foundation Secretary General Abdelhadi Sahib, CNRST Director Jamila El Alami, and UM6P President Hicham El Habti, along with academics and representatives from national institutions.
