Aziz Akhannouch

About

Moroccan businessman, politician, and billionaire who began serving as Prime Minister of Morocco in October 2021. Before that, he served as Minister of Agriculture from 2007 to 2021. He is the CEO of Akwa Group, a conglomerate that mainly deals in oil and gas. He and his party have been accused of election fraud, vote buying, and suppression of the press and his opponents. Boycotts of his business and campaigns such as the #Degage_Akhannouch campaign have arisen to challenge his power. 

Before Fame

He was born in Tafraout, Morocco and raised in Casablanca. He graduated from Université de Sherbrooke with a diploma in management in 1986. He was a member of the National Rally of Independents. He was appointed as Minister of Finance from August to October 2013. 

Trivia

In 2020 he was ranked 12th on Forbes's annual list of Africa's wealthiest billionaires. His ascension to power marked the decline of the previous ruling coalition, the Justice and Development Party. In March 2020, he donated roughly $103.5 million to the country's COVID-19 Pandemic management fund. His political fame has led him to amass over 390,000 followers on Instagram. 

Family Life

He inherited Akwa from his father. He is married to Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch and they have 3 children. His mother and sister were survivors of the Agadir earthquake, reportedly trapped beneath the rubble for hours before being rescued. The earthquake claimed ten other members of his family.

Associated With

In December of 2022, he posted to his AzizAkhannouch Facebook page, extending congratulations and best wishes to King Mohammed VI for the 2023 New Year.