CFI.co in conversation with Abdeslam Ababou, chief executive of Red Med Capital…
CEO of the independent investment bank, Abdeslam Ababou, founded the first arm of the group, Red Med Finance, in 2004. It has been involved in major M&A transactions which led corporate finance activities in sectors including telecom, education, financial services or the agro industry. The advisory bank, has also been involved in renewable energy sector since 2010 and developed a sharp expertise in this industry.
The second subsidiary, Red Med Asset Management, came into being in 2011. It has assets of more than €1.1bn under management, and a large portfolio of institutional, corporate and private clients. In 2020, the group broadened the scope of its activities by responding to the critical needs of the SME sector by founding Red Med Private Equity. The first fund is addressing the growing SME’s markets in Morocco, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Senegal. In 2021, it acquired a brokerage firm which was to become Red Med Securities. The most recent to be born, in 2022, was management firm Red Med Real Estate.
What is the framework for international investors in Morocco?
Morocco benefits from an attractive investment framework, thanks first to its political stability and macro-economic indicators that have remained relatively stable in a period of worldwide turbulence.
Morocco has encouraged FDI in the past 10- 15 years by providing incentives and first-class infrastructure such as Tangier Med port and industrial areas/free zones. Morocco prioritised training for our young people to create valuable expertise in some key sectors.
Automotive has become something of a flagship. In just 10 years, Morocco has attracted two major car manufacturers and Tier 1 O&Ms, creating a competitive business environment.
The new investment charter, voted last November, encourages private investment — aiming to outpace public investment. It also provides incentives for specific industries to promote the regional equity and for Strategic projects — worth more than £79m — that will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Morocco has proven itself to be a safe haven for international investors, with geographic proximity to Europe and access to a billion consumers — representing 60 percent of worldwide GDP — via Morocco boasts a strong legal framework that guarantees investors’ interests, especially in terms on repatriation of dividends or cession revenue, take top priority. The country has all the ingredients to boost its FDI in key industries. There is a clear momentum for that.
What green economy opportunities exist In Morocco?
Red Med Group has been actively involved in the renewable energy sector for 13 years. Since 2010, Red Med Capital has advised major national and international projects, for a development of about 800 MW of renewable energy.
Red Med Capital is also involved in the promising green hydrogen industry by advising two key players to develop large-scale projects to supply the national market and to export to Europe.
With the war in Ukraine, European countries have had to rethink their energy supplies.
Morocco, which benefits from extraordinary renewable energy assets, which is only 14 kms from Spain, which has an existing grid and a gas pipeline connected to Europe, presents itself as a suitable partner. Morocco has demonstrated a willingness to be a leader in that field all along the last fourteen years.
At the behest of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the government is encouraging the development of the PtX industry by proposing a “Moroccan Offer” on a win-win basis. Moroccan potential has been illustrated by the latest report from the International Energy Agency which has identified Morocco as part of the five hot spots for green hydrogen projects, with a goal of producing four percent of the world’s green hydrogen by 2030.
For all these reasons, Red Med Capital considers itself a bridge for investors, providing the know how to transform opportunities into concrete projects.
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