Aziz Akhannouch
Aziz Akhannouch (Arabic: عزيز أخنوش, Tamazight: ⵄⴰⵣⵉⵣ ⴰⵅⵏⵏⵓⵛ; born 16 August 1961)[1][2] is a Moroccan politician, businessman, and billionaire who is currently the Prime Minister of Morocco since his government took office on 7 October 2021.[3] He is the CEO of Akwa Group and also served as Minister of Agriculture from 2007 to 2021.
Aziz Akhannouch
Himself (as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries)
Himself (as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests)
16 August 1961
Tafraout, Morocco
National Rally of Independents (2007–2012, 2016–present)
Independent (2012–2016)
3
Businessman, Politician
Akhannouch's political career has been generally characterized by several controversies, including accusations of corruption and negative relations with the press.[4][5] His government has been additionally marked by inflation, as well as continued suppression of dissenting opinions.[6][7][8] It has been suggested that Akhannouch may have been elected by election fraud and vote buying, as the previous party, the PJD saw its support collapse from 125 to just 12 seats.[9][10][11]
Early life and education[edit]
Akhannouch was born in 1961 in Tafraout and raised in Casablanca.[12][13] He comes from the Amazigh tribe of Souss of Aït Ammeln. His mother and sister were survivors of the 1960 Agadir earthquake that killed ten of his family members; they were reported to have been left buried beneath rubble for several hours before being rescued.[14]
In 1986, Akhannouch graduated from the Université de Sherbrooke with a management diploma.[15]
Business[edit]
He is the CEO of Akwa Group, a Moroccan conglomerate particularly active in the oil and gas sector.[16] Forbes estimated his net worth as $1.4 billion in November 2013.[17] Akhannouch inherited Akwa from his father.[17] In 2020, he was ranked 12th on Forbes's annual list of Africa's wealthiest billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $2 billion.[18]
Personal life[edit]
Akhannouch is married to Salwa Idrissi, a businesswoman who owns a company active in malls and holds the Moroccan franchises for brands such as Gap and Zara.[17] They have three children.[78]
As Minister of Agriculture, Akhannouch hosted King Mohammed VI and his immediate family for Ramadan iftar on two separate occasions in 2013 and 2016.[79]
On 21 November 2022, government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas announced that Akhannouch had tested positive for COVID-19.[80][81][82]