The Real Estate Investment Trusts (OPCI) sector has reached a new milestone, surpassing 100 billion dirhams in assets under management for the first time. Since the launch of the first OPCI management company in 2019, this market has experienced continuous growth. After exceeding the 10 billion dirham mark in assets in 2021, it stabilized around 50 billion between 2022 and 2023 before entering a new phase of acceleration. This growth has recently been supported by the State, which leverages OPCIs as a tool to free up financial capacities, as well as by institutional investors attracted by the opportunities offered by this investment product.

With a size representing nearly one-sixth of the Collective Investment Schemes in Transferable Securities (UCITS) market, the OPCI sector stands out for its impressive dynamism and remarkable growth potential. The State plays a central role in this expansion by adopting OPCIs to diversify its financing mechanisms. By 2025, it is projected that over 30 billion dirhams will be raised through these funds, further enhancing their appeal to investors. Moreover, in a context marked by declining bond yields, OPCIs have emerged as an attractive alternative. They often provide higher returns than treasury bonds while relying on high-quality underlying assets, which mitigates risks. These characteristics, combined with revenues from solid public and private counterparties, give OPCIs a notable competitive edge over traditional fixed-income products.

The development of OPCIs is also underpinned by stringent oversight from the Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC). Similar to other regulated asset classes, this strict framework ensures transparency and stability within the sector, attracting a diverse institutional clientele. To date, the market remains predominantly dominated by qualified investors, though a few individuals also participate.

The real estate assets held by OPCIs are characterized by high occupancy rates, ensuring secure returns. According to 2024 data published by the AMMC, the physical occupancy rate for all managed OPCIs exceeds 90%. Among the most successful categories are administrative buildings, tourist and leisure establishments, and properties dedicated to education or training. However, OPCIs with diversified investment strategies show an average rate slightly below the overall market average.

The “city” was launched in 2009 and is only in its start-up phase. Incidentally, Chrafat, near Tangier, has already absorbed more than 1 billion dirhams, while the overall budget is around 2.8 billion dirhams. The figures, reported by the daily Al Akhbar in its edition of Friday, December 20, are alarming. While it was supposed to accommodate 150,000 inhabitants, only 36 residents are currently settled there. In terms of achievements, we must count a meager balance sheet of 687 units completed. Barely 0.3% of the initially set objective. We are on a scale of value of a third of the budgeted investments swallowed up for a result almost zero… More

Casablanca, the iconic metropolis and economic capital of Morocco, has achieved scores above the expectations of its residents. FIFA’s assessment confirmed the relevance of the joint bid of Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with high scores in key areas such as stadiums, transport, infrastructure and much more. Thanks to meticulous planning and infrastructure ready to welcome the world, Casablanca is positioning itself as a key player for this edition of the World Cup Centenary. Le360 had the opportunity to consult the bid file of the city of Casablanca submitted to FIFA. And the least we can say is that it is solid… More

Casablanca will have a new international airport. The announcement was made by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, during a session in Parliament. With a capacity to accommodate more than 20 million passengers annually, the infrastructure, which will be built opposite the current airport and which will keep the same name (Mohammed V Airport), will be mainly dedicated to the management of long-haul flights. Furthermore, the minister indicated that the RAM fleet will increase from 50 to 250 aircraft in 2033, stressing that the national company aims to reach all parts of the world, and that Casablanca would become a Hub connecting Africa, Europe and America … More

An extraordinary session dominated by tourism projects. This is how Nabila Rmili, President of the Casablanca City Council, described the session of Thursday, November 28. Of the forty or so projects on the agenda, the majority were related to the tourism development of the economic capital, according to the daily L’Economiste in its December 3 edition. “Updating of signage, rehabilitation of the old slaughterhouses and the central market, opening of the Aïn Sebaâ zoo, management of public toilets… So many projects that Casablanca residents have been eagerly awaiting for years. Today, they are coming to fruition,” we read… More