The Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leïla Benali, stated on Wednesday, before the Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives, that the transformation of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) into a public limited company is a central lever for sustainably strengthening the Kingdom’s energy and mining sovereignty.
During her intervention regarding the reform project, the minister emphasized that Morocco’s energy dependence on neighboring countries, to the north and east, cannot continue. According to her, the evolution of ONHYM’s legal framework is part of a strategic approach aimed at consolidating national decision-making capacity in essential sectors while adapting the public tool to ongoing economic and geopolitical changes.
Addressing the concerns raised by some parliamentarians, who expressed fears about a possible disguised privatization, Ms. Benali clarified that this transformation does not signify a disengagement of the state. She noted that the ministry had received correspondence from the Budget Directorate confirming the sovereign and strategic nature of this reform. The minister insisted on maintaining the central role of the state in guiding and steering the energy and mining sector.
Ms. Benali reminded that sovereignty in these areas cannot be fragmented or delegated, emphasizing that the reform aims precisely to provide ONHYM with a more effective governance framework without jeopardizing public control. She also mentioned the profound changes occurring in the global metals and energy markets, highlighting the geostrategic challenges observed during recent international forums dedicated to mineral resources.
Regarding human resources, the minister assured that the reform will be conducted with respect for the social rights of the Office’s personnel. She indicated that the ministry is relying on previous national experiences, particularly those of public groups that have undergone similar transformations, to ensure continuity of rights and stability of teams.
Ms. Benali also highlighted the role of strategic energy infrastructures, citing the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, which has been under Moroccan sovereignty since 2021. According to her, this infrastructure has ensured the continuity of industrial supply and preserved numerous jobs during regional disruptions in gas supply. She added that future connection projects, notably with the Nigerian gas pipeline, align with the same logic of long-term energy security.
Finally, the minister stated that the reforms undertaken in the electricity and gas sectors must meet performance, service continuity, and competitiveness imperatives. She emphasized that the transformation of ONHYM into a public limited company is a tool intended to enhance the operational efficiency of the Office while preserving its historical mission in service of the Kingdom’s energy and mining sovereignty.