ESSEC Alumni in Morocco: “We raised more funds in 2024 than in the last 15 years”

Nizar Abdallaoui Maane (E13), President of the ESSEC Alumni Morocco Chapter, tells us about our local community – and the activities he and his fellow volunteers offer to them. If you are a graduate or a student in the area, join their online group!

EA: What is your personal history with Morocco? 

Nizar Abdallaoui Maane: I was born and raised in Morocco until the age of 18. I then moved to France to pursue my higher education, starting with Classes Préparatoires before joining ESSEC Business School. After gaining a few years of professional experience in financial services, I decided to return to Morocco in 2019 to launch my startup. I founded Morocco’s first trusted used car marketplace, facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers while also making vehicle financing more accessible. After successfully scaling the business, I exited in 2024. Following this, I joined FM6I, Morocco’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, where I managed the venture capital portfolio within our fund of funds activities. I am now working on something new.

EA: What are the profiles and backgrounds of our graduates in Morocco? 

N. Abdallaoui Maane: There are approximately 400 ESSEC graduates here. Around 80% are Moroccan citizens, while the remaining 20% are expatriates. Although there is a strong concentration of ESSEC graduates in consulting and financial services, the community is remarkably diverse. We have entrepreneurs across multiple industries, authors, artists, and even yoga instructors. The majority resides in Casablanca, the country’s economic hub. However, we are witnessing a growing presence in Rabat, where many work in administration or public enterprises, as well as in other cities like Marrakech, Fès, and Tangier.

EA: What opportunities do our alumni have in Morocco? 

N. Abdallaoui Maane: Strategically located at the northwestern tip of Africa, just 15 km from Spain, Morocco is a melting pot of African, Middle Eastern, and European influences. It stands out as a stable and business-friendly country in the region, attracting multinational companies, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking for dynamic opportunities in an emerging economy. Furthermore, it is at a pivotal moment of growth and transformation. The country is preparing to host the African Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2030, and these events are being leveraged as catalysts for investment and accelerated development. Significant opportunities exist in infrastructure-related sectors such as transportation, logistics, and energy. Additionally, Morocco has established itself as a continental leader in automotive manufacturing and tourism, two industries that continue to thrive. From an investment perspective, Morocco’s private equity and venture capital ecosystem is experiencing significant growth: in 2024, Moroccan funds raised more capital than they had in the previous 15 years combined.

EA: What practical advice do you have for our alumni moving in your country?

N. Abdallaoui Maane: The ESSEC Alumni network in Morocco is strong, active, and highly supportive. I encourage any alumni considering a move to Morocco to tap into this network from day one. Whether it’s for career guidance (salary insights, background checks, industry trends) or personal matters (housing, schools, legal processes, etc.), the alumni community can be a valuable resource. Networking is key to professional success in Morocco, and leveraging the ESSEC connection can significantly ease the transition into the country.

EA: Is the ESSEC brand considered an asset on Morocco’s job market? 

N. Abdallaoui Maane: The ESSEC brand holds a strong reputation in Morocco, particularly in political, economic, and business circles, thanks to historical ties. More recently, the ESSEC Africa campus in Rabat has been strengthening our brand locally. The ESSEC Alumni Morocco Chapter plays an additional role by organizing high-impact conferences featuring influential speakers, publishing white papers to contribute to national strategic discussions, and showcasing distinguished alumni who are making an impact in their respective fields. 

EA: What are the offer and services of the ESSEC Alumni Morocco Chapter? 

N. Abdallaoui Maane: The ESSEC Alumni Chapter in Morocco serves as a platform for professional networking, knowledge-sharing, and community-building. Our core activities include monthly meetups with different formats (networking cocktails with industry leaders and alumni from other schools, thematic panel discussions on key business and economic trends), career and business development support for alumni and students including workshops and mentoring sessions for young professionals and entrepreneurs, collaboration with the ESSEC Africa campus to enhance student-graduate engagement, thought leadership contributions through conferences and publications, and philanthropic initiatives supporting local causes and charitable organizations. 

EA: What have been your latest initiatives? 

N. Abdallaoui Maane: In addition to our monthly gatherings, we have been lucky enough to enjoy landmark events in the last few months. Back in October, we welcomed Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry & Trade, who reviewed 20 years of investments by King Mohammed VI to strengthen the competitiveness and sovereignty of Morocco. This was covered by numerous media outlets in the country: La Vie Éco, Le Site Info, LesÉco, Hespress... In March, we met up with Moncef Belkhayat, President and Founder of the DISLOG Group, to mark the release of his book Dislog Group, BUILD & RUN Company - The Moroccan Dream. He has a strong connection with our community as ESSEC Executive Education trained his whole Board of Directors. ESSEC Alumni helped funding that event: many thanks to the team! Last but not least, we gathered 300 guests in Casablanca to celebrate the official opening of the Alumni House, in the presence of the French Ambassador to Morocco. This collective initiative, led by alumni from top French institutions — ESSEC Business School, Sciences Po, HEC Paris, ESCP Business School, Audencia, emlyon business school, and École nationale des ponts et chaussées — reflects a shared commitment to fostering connection, collaboration, and French academic excellence abroad.

EA: Who are the members of your team? 

N. Abdallaoui Maane: The ESSEC Alumni Morocco Chapter is led by a dedicated team of five: Secretary General Meryam Khir (E11), Treasurer Bahiya Hanoun (E09), Vice Presidents Youssef Ousbane (E04) and Mohamed Bensaid (E09), and myself. Beyond the core team, we have a network of engaged members who take the lead on specific initiatives, such as event organization and fundraising for charity causes. So feel free to reach out to us if you want to contribute ideas, energy, and leadership to strengthen our community!

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