Marrakech – Raja Club Athletic has officially entered a new era of management by signing a landmark partnership with Marsa Maroc on Saturday.
The ceremony, held at Raja’s academy in Bouskoura, marked the historic transformation of the Casablanca club into a sports company, “Raja SA,” created in 2019 but inactive until today.
The partnership comes in compliance with Law 30-09 on the transformation of clubs into sports companies. Marsa Maroc, through its CSR association Ports4Impact, will acquire a 60% stake in Raja SA with an investment of MAD 150 million ($15 million) spread over three years.
The Raja association will retain 40% by transferring assets worth MAD 100 million ($10 million), including brand rights and player contracts.
The total valuation of the club reaches MAD 510 million ($51 million), with only MAD 100 million ($10 million) being transferred to the company. Though valued as part of this arrangement, the academy will remain the property of the association under a usage agreement.
Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), attended the signing ceremony alongside Abdessalam Belkachour, President of the National Professional Football League, and representatives from both Raja and Marsa Maroc.
During his speech, Lekjaa called Raja “a global club in every sense of the word” and expressed joy at being present at the Raja academy, which he described as “a landmark that adds to this club and its pride.”
He stressed that Raja, along with Wydad and AS FAR, represent the locomotive of national football, saying: “The national football will not be well unless this trio is well.”
Lekjaa also mentioned FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s recent statement that Morocco has become a destination for world football. He pointed out that by hosting major events such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup, Morocco will be under global evaluation.
Lekjaa also praised Raja’s transition to the sports company system, which he believes will open new paths and opportunities for the team. He wished Raja success in returning strongly to compete for national and continental titles.
According to the agreement, Ports4Impact will focus exclusively on areas where Marsa Maroc has proven expertise and can add real value to the club in terms of governance and management rules.
As the majority shareholder, Ports4Impact will appoint the President of Raja SA, who will oversee activities related to the management and institutional development of the club.
A qualitative shift in Raja’s path
Marsa Maroc clarified in its statement that “this operation is not part of a financial profitability logic.” Instead, it aims to support the restructuring of Raja and contribute to preserving a major part of the national sports heritage.
The company pledged that if any profits or dividends are generated in the future, Ports4Impact will reinvest them entirely in the club to support its sustainable development.
The sports governance aspect will remain fully under the Raja association, which will continue to ensure strategic and operational management through its own governing bodies.
Jawad Ziyat, who was elected Raja president last month, spoke at the ceremony and confirmed the importance of this partnership, describing it as strategic and significant in Raja’s history.
He gave special thanks to Fouzi Lekjaa for standing by the club to activate the partnership and investment agreement with Marsa Maroc, and for helping the club resolve its tax problems that date back more than 18 years.
This initiative represents a qualitative shift in Raja’s path, enabling the club to improve its financial and organizational status, contributing to its sustained success both locally and internationally.
