Morocco’s King Mohammed VI launches $33 million mental health project

King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Africa’s wealthiest monarch, has announced a $33 million initiative to support people with mental health disorders in the Mediouna province, near Casablanca. The project, set to be completed within 24 months marks a significant step in expanding mental health services in the Casablanca-Settat region.

Morocco launches $33 million rehab center

The rehabilitation center will be established by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, with an investment of MAD300 million ($33 million). It is part of the foundation’s broader plan to strengthen Morocco’s healthcare system, which has faced increasing calls for reform.

The eight-hectare complex will include 396 beds, therapeutic workshops, sports facilities and a cultural center with art and music studios. Patients will have access to cognitive remediation programs, specialized psychotherapy, vocational training and occupational activities aimed at promoting social and professional reintegration. A health unit will provide psychiatric, psychological, dental, and general medical care.

King Mohammed VI advances infrastructure upgrades

Funding for the center comes from a partnership between the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, Morocco’s Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Inclusion, local and regional councils and the National Initiative for Human Development. Officials say the joint effort reflects a commitment to addressing both mental health and broader social needs.

This move is part of a wider series of projects by King Mohammed VI to modernize Morocco’s infrastructure and support the economy. Earlier this month, he inaugurated a MAD5 billion ($557 million) upgrade of Casablanca’s port, including a new fishing harbor, a rebuilt shipyard, an expanded cruise terminal, and a central administrative complex.

Royal family’s bank stake surges to $8.6 billion

The royal family’s financial footprint continues to grow. Between January and August, their stake in Morocco’s largest bank, Attijariwafa Bank, rose from MAD 58.4 billion ($6.4 billion) to MAD 78.2 billion ($8.6 billion), a $2.2 billion increase. The growth reflects both the bank’s steady performance and the family’s cautious, long-term approach to investments which spans banking, telecommunications, energy and real estate.

With the new mental health center and ongoing investments, King Mohammed VI’s initiatives highlight a mix of social responsibility and careful economic stewardship reinforcing Morocco’s development while providing support to its most vulnerable citizens.