Rabat– The Moroccan government approved, on Thursday, draft law n°68.25 amending and supplementing law n°80.12, which governs the National Agency for the Evaluation and Quality Assurance of Higher Education and Scientific Research (ANEAQ).
The reform aims to modernize the legal and institutional framework overseeing higher education and scientific research institutions. According to Mustapha Baitas, government spokesperson and Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament, the update is designed to improve the quality of higher education and research while aligning Morocco’s evaluation standards with internationally recognized best practices.
The new law clarifies the agency’s missions and its interactions with other institutional stakeholders involved in higher education and research evaluation. It also introduces additional responsibilities for the agency in conducting evaluation operations. Furthermore, the law changes the agency’s official name to the Moroccan Agency for Evaluation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Scientific Research, reflecting its expanded mandate.
Bilateral agreement with Jordan
During the same government council session, members were briefed on the agreement signed on October 5, 2025 between Morocco and Jordan regarding the transfer of individuals sentenced to custodial sentences.
Baitas noted that the council also reviewed the draft law approving this agreement. Both texts were presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita.
Tighter regulation of share issuance pricing
The council approved draft decree n°2.25.1080 amending decree n°2.09.481 of December 21, 2009, which implements law n°17-95 on joint-stock companies.
Presented by Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, the decree updates provisions related to capital increase operations. The amendment requires that the statutory auditor’s report include the conditions used to determine the share issuance price, in addition to the issuance price itself and its total amount.
The revised text also mandates that the auditor issue an opinion on the fairness and accuracy of the criteria used to calculate the issuance price, including the selected price range and the terms of its approval by the board of directors or management board.
High-level appointments
The government council, presided over by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, also approved several high-level appointments in accordance with Article 92 of the Constitution.
- At the High Commission for Planning, Othmane Kettani was appointed Director of the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics.
- At the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, El Mustapha El Yabouri was named Inspector General.
- At the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication – Communication Department, Abdessamad Moutia was appointed Director of the Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions.
- At the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, Kenza Abourmane was named Director of the Organization of School Life, Extracurricular Activities, and Educational and Vocational Guidance.
These measures mark a significant step in both reforming Morocco’s higher education evaluation framework and strengthening institutional leadership across key sectors.
