Morocco has made history with the appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El-Mansouri as its first woman Head of Government. King Mohammed VI appointed El-Mansouri on September 29, following parliamentary elections in which her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won 97 seats in the House of Representatives. As the leader of the party with the most seats, El-Mansouri was chosen by the King to form a coalition government.
El-Mansouri, a lawyer and senior member of PAM, has previously served as housing minister and mayor of Marrakech. Her appointment comes at a critical time for Morocco, which is preparing for major investments linked to the 2030 FIFA World Cup and addressing economic and social pressures, including inflation, employment, and wages.
The appointment of El-Mansouri adds Morocco to a growing list of African countries with women in top political leadership roles. Namibia is led by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Tanzania by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Judith Suminwa serves as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sara Zaafrani serves as Prime Minister of Tunisia.
Africa has made progress in increasing women's representation in legislatures, but women remain underrepresented in the highest executive leadership positions. According to a 2025 analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Africa has had 24 female heads of state or government across 18 countries, with only two women directly elected by voters to the presidency.
In South Africa, women currently hold about 45% of the seats in the National Assembly, making it one of Africa's examples of relatively high female parliamentary representation. However, the country has not had a woman elected president since the end of apartheid, and it remains uncertain whether this will change in the future.
El-Mansouri's appointment is significant not only for Morocco but also for the broader context of women's leadership in Africa. Her party won the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives, and she will now have to form a coalition government. She has stated that she will work towards proposing a government that meets the expectations of the King and all citizens.
Following her appointment, El-Mansouri described the moment as historic for Morocco, expressing pride for herself and all the women in the country. She acknowledged the high expectations surrounding her appointment and emphasized her commitment to drawing up a program with realistic and concrete solutions, particularly for young people.
Key points
- Morocco's appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El-Mansouri as its first woman Head of Government marks a significant milestone for women's leadership in Africa.
- El-Mansouri's appointment adds to the growing number of African countries with women in top political leadership roles, including Namibia, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tunisia.
- The appointment highlights the ongoing efforts to increase women's representation in executive leadership positions in Africa, where women remain underrepresented in top leadership roles.
