Rabat hosted the signing of a groundbreaking partnership between the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, and the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Azeddine El Midaoui.
The agreement outlines the funding of 50 doctoral scholarships in the fields of energy transition, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
The goal is to strengthen applied research and train scientific profiles capable of supporting Morocco in its energy transformation.
This program, scheduled for implementation from 2026 to 2028, will mobilize 63 million dirhams (approximately 6.1 million dollars), funded by the Ministry of Energy Transition. The realization and monitoring of the beneficiaries will be overseen by the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST).
“This is an investment in the future of Morocco and its youth,” said Leila Benali, emphasizing that this initiative marks “a decisive step in building the skills that will design and lead the country’s energy transition.”
According to the minister, the program aligns with the National Sustainable Development Strategy for 2035 and reflects the government’s commitment to embedding sustainability at the core of scientific and technological policies.
Benali stressed the need to enhance national research on renewable energies, green hydrogen, climate resilience, and the circular economy—sectors that are expected to shape Morocco’s long-term competitiveness.
For Azeddine El Midaoui, this partnership illustrates the convergence between energy policy and scientific innovation:
“Young people are the backbone and one of the strategic levers to support Morocco’s technological and scientific transformations,” he stated.
The minister highlighted that these doctoral candidates will play a crucial role in the success of major national projects, whether in terms of technological autonomy, digital transition, or environmental sustainability.
The initiative aims to create an integrated research ecosystem that connects university laboratories, public institutions, and industry players. By encouraging young researchers to develop concrete solutions to energy challenges, the program seeks to bridge fundamental research with applied innovation.
This doctoral program reinforces Morocco’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy, where research becomes a pillar of energy and technological sovereignty.
The country, already a leader in renewable energy—with more than 40% of its electricity mix sourced from clean sources by 2025—aims to invest in human skills to ensure the sustainability of this transition.
