Agadir – Fouzi Lekjaa officially took over Morocco’s Ministry of Economy, Finance and Public Performance from Nadia Fettah during a handover ceremony at the ministry’s headquarters on Saturday.
King Mohammed VI appointed Lekjaa to head the ministry on October 16. During the ceremony, Fettah highlighted the ministry’s role in supporting major structural projects and thanked its directors and staff for their continued commitment to carrying out their responsibilities and achieving institutional objectives.
Speaking to Moroccan media after the meeting, Fettah congratulated Lekjaa on his appointment, commending his experience and qualifications. She noted that he had worked within the Ministry of Finance for more than 30 years and had been her colleague for five years.
“It was an opportunity to offer my warmest congratulations to Fouzi Lekjaa on the royal trust placed in him through this appointment,” Fettah said.
She also expressed confidence in the ministry’s capacity to meet the country’s upcoming challenges, stressing that it had the necessary expertise at both central and regional levels.
“The ministry has all the necessary expertise, both at the central and regional levels, to meet the expectations of the King and deliver on the major projects and commitments awaiting Morocco,” she said.
Fettah added that Lekjaa had a thorough understanding of the ministry’s files and the ambition needed to address the country’s priorities. She also pointed to the expectations of Moroccan families and young people.
“Moroccan young people and families still have expectations. We want every region of Morocco to move forward at the same pace,” she said.
Fettah wished success to the newly appointed government led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, expressing confidence that its members would rise to Morocco’s major challenges and ambitions.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Fettah also commended her collaboration with Lekjaa, describing it as based on mutual trust and a shared commitment to serving the public interest. She wished her successor success in his new responsibilities.
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Lekjaa, in turn, expressed gratitude for the royal trust placed in him and emphasized the importance of the ministry’s core values in maintaining cohesion and mobilizing its staff to address the country’s economic and financial challenges.
He identified maintaining macroeconomic stability, safeguarding public finances, and supporting major reforms as key priorities for the ministry. Lekjaa also paid tribute to Fettah for her efforts and contributions to Morocco’s economic and financial policies during her tenure.
The ceremony brought together the ministry’s directors-general and directors, alongside heads of public institutions, establishments, and companies.
Lekjaa’s appointment comes as Morocco prepares to implement its 2027 Finance Bill, which outlines the government’s economic priorities, public spending plans, and fiscal objectives for the coming year.
King Mohammed VI approved the bill during a ministerial council in Rabat on Saturday. It seeks to restore household purchasing power, increase direct social aid, expand healthcare coverage, and strengthen access to housing support.
The bill also seeks to improve public education and expand opportunities for young people through education, vocational training, employment, and access to financing.
The bill allocates MAD 25 billion ($2.56 billion) to a new generation of integrated territorial development programs for 2027-2031 to reduce regional disparities and improve local living conditions.
