Morocco's sovereign bonds rose after S&P Global Ratings granted the Kingdom the only investment-grade rating among Eurobond issuers in Africa, strengthening its ability to raise funds ahead of hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Bloomberg reported. Dollar-denominated Moroccan bonds due in 2042 gained 0.7%, briefly ranking among the top 15 performers in emerging markets. Bonds issued by OCP Group and maturing in 2044 also advanced, reflecting growing investor confidence in Morocco's economic outlook. The rating restores Morocco to investment-grade status, which it lost in 2021 amid the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and drought that weighed heavily on tourism and agriculture. According to S&P, the upgrade reflects the resilience of Morocco's social, economic, and financial reforms, with expectations of a gradual decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio supported by stronger revenues and deficit reduction. Analysts say the upgrade marks a key milestone in Morocco's strategy to attract foreign direct investment, stimulate growth, and tackle unemployment, while also securing the financing needed for World Cup infrastructure. Financial experts now see the Kingdom as a potential «rising star» in the region, as the government prepares to present the 2026 finance bill next month.
