Aziz Akhannouch (born August 16, 1961) is a prominent Moroccan politician and businessman serving as the Prime Minister of Morocco since October 2021. A major figure in the Moroccan economy, he has long been recognized as a significant business magnate through his leadership of the Akwa Group, a conglomerate with extensive interests in petroleum, gas, and chemicals. His career bridges the worlds of high finance and public service, characterized by his tenure as one of the kingdom’s longest-serving ministers and his eventual rise to the head of government following the 2021 parliamentary elections. Born in the town of Tafraout in southern Morocco, Akhannouch spent his early years in Casablanca. He belongs to an entrepreneurial family; his father, Ahmed Ouldhadj Akhannouch, was a co-founder of the Akwa Group in 1932. Akhannouch pursued higher education in Canada, graduating in 1986 from the Université de Sherbrooke with a diploma in management and administration. Upon returning to Morocco, he assumed leadership roles within the family business, overseeing the expansion of the Akwa Group into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise that grew to include interests in real estate, media, tourism, and services, alongside its core focus on energy. Akhannouch’s political trajectory began at the local and regional levels. Between 2003 and 2007, he served as the president of the Souss-Massa-Drâa regional council. His national political career accelerated in 2007 when he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, a position he held for over a decade, serving under multiple administrations until 2021. During this tenure, he spearheaded the "Green Morocco Plan" (Plan Maroc Vert), an ambitious national strategy launched in 2008 by King Mohammed VI to modernize and industrialize the agricultural sector. The plan aimed to improve productivity, ensure food security, and enhance the competitiveness of Moroccan exports. He also oversaw the "Halieutis Plan" to promote sustainability and development within the fisheries industry. In 2014, his contributions to these sectors were recognized internationally when he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Spanish Civil Order of Agricultural, Fishing and Food Merit. In 2016, Akhannouch became the president of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), a center-right liberal party. Under his leadership, the party underwent a period of reorganization and strategic growth, culminating in the 2021 general elections. The RNI emerged as the largest party, securing 102 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, effectively ending the decade-long political dominance of the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD). On September 10, 2021, King Mohammed VI appointed Akhannouch as Prime Minister, tasking him with the formation of a new coalition government. He assumed office on October 7, 2021, and successfully negotiated a governing alliance with the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) and the Istiqlal Party. As Prime Minister, Akhannouch’s administration has focused on broad economic reforms, the expansion of social protection systems, and healthcare modernization, while also grappling with challenges such as post-pandemic economic recovery, inflation, and the rising cost of living. His tenure has been marked by significant domestic and international diplomatic activity, including efforts to strengthen bilateral ties with countries such as Spain and the United States, and representation of Morocco at various global summits, including the Russia-Africa and Italy-Africa summits. Throughout his public life, Akhannouch has been a subject of intense public scrutiny due to the intersection of his business interests and political power. His wealth, consistently ranked among the highest in Morocco and the Arab world by Forbes, has drawn criticism regarding potential conflicts of interest. In 2018, he faced a notable boycott campaign targeting his companies, spurred by public frustration over fuel prices. Despite such pressures, he remains a central pillar of Morocco’s political and economic establishment, frequently cited for his close relationship with the monarchy and his technocratic approach to governance. Akhannouch is married to Salwa Idrissi, a leading businesswoman in her own right, who serves as the CEO of the Aksal Group, a major player in luxury retail and fashion franchises. The couple has three children. Throughout his career, he has maintained memberships in various philanthropic and civic institutions, including the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment and the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Reintegration of Prisoners, reflecting his deep integration within the Moroccan institutional and economic landscape.