The Executive Board of IPMA started into 2016 with a meeting at Casablanca, dedicated to an exchange of experiences with board members of the Moroccan Project Management Association (MPMA). The association was formed last year  and is moving forward to start activities in 2016 and beyond.

The Kingdom of Morocco is a country of the Maghreb region in the North of Africa. The population of Morocco reaches nearly 35 million, however, many people work outside of their own country and return from time to time. The capital of Morocco is Rabat, although the largest city is Casablanca; other major cities include but are not limited to Marrakesh, Tangier, Tetouan, Fes and Agadir. In many places a rich cultural blend of Arab, indigenous Berber, Sub-Saharan African, and European influences can be found. Nearly a hundred percent of the population belongs to the Islam, the rest to Christianity and Judaism.

Morocco is the fifth largest economy in Africa measured by GDP. It reached an annual growth rate of approximately 5 % since the year 2000. Service industry accounts for more than 50% of the GDP and industry, including mining, construction and manufacturing, is an additional quarter. Industries with a high growth rate are tourism, tele communication, information technology, energy provision as well as manufacturing. There are many projects and programmes under way. For example, the Moroccan TGV is a lighthouse project for the transportation sector, connecting major cities throughout Morocco during the next couple of years.  In the energy sector, many projects and programmes are underway, e.g. the Noor Ouarzazate Concentrated

Solar Power Project  planned for 580 MW solar energy when finished. Through the Solaire Expo Morocco, February 23-25 at Casablanca will gather the specialists of the industry and will be a starting point for many more projects. But also in the construction sector are many projects under way, e.g. the Nador West Med Harbour, a mega oil storage platform to supply not only Morocco but many countries in the region.

Thus, project management competences need to be developed in all areas of economy and society of Morocco. Only a few courses are available. The vision of the newly formed Moroccan Project Management Association is to promote and enhance project management and improve the competence of organizations to create the conditions to help projects succeed. Besides intensive experience exchange, education and training based on the IPMA ICB®  and promotion of project management at Government and C-Suite Levels will be the next activities. So let´s keep posted and support our colleagues in an exciting country.