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Morocco dethrones Egypt, becomes main popular destination for tourist to Africa
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By Francesca Hangeior
Morocco has crowned itself Africa’s most-visited destination, welcoming 17.4 million tourists in 2024—just a year after a deadly earthquake struck near its star destination, Marrakesh.
The milestone gives Morocco an edge over Egypt, which had long led the continent in tourism. Egypt also broke its own record, attracting 15.7 million visitors in 2024, but it wasn’t enough to hold on to first place.
Tourism revenue in Morocco also hit a new high in 2024, reaching $11 billion, up from $10.5 billion the previous year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
While no central authority tracks arrival numbers for all African nations, UN Tourism data shows North African countries consistently dominate. Egypt, with its pyramids and the Nile, and Morocco, famous for its mountains, medinas, and celebrated cuisine, are in a league of their own on the continent.
By contrast, safari destinations in sub-Saharan Africa, such as South Africa and Botswana, attract far fewer visitors and earn only a fraction of North Africa’s tourism revenue.
Morocco’s 2024 numbers mark a 20 percent rise from 2023 and a more than 33 percent increase from pre-pandemic 2019 levels, when the country welcomed 13 million tourists. This surge has also put Morocco two years ahead of its tourism projections.
The rebound has been especially noticeable in Marrakesh, Morocco’s most visited city, which has recovered from both the Covid-19 tourism slowdown and the deadly September 2023 earthquake.
“We struggled after the earthquake. But today, things are better than ever. We’ve been fully booked for months,” said Nassim Ait Said, manager of Riad Nelia, a boutique hotel in Marrakech’s old square. “People are back to enjoy the beauty of Marrakech.”
However, the same cannot be said for the surrounding Atlas villages, once a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
“The sight of tents and damaged homes doesn’t help attract sceptical tourists,” said Driss Zehrour, owner of Riad Vallée Vert in Douar Taourirte, near Asni, 50 kilometres from Marrakesh. “Unlike Marrakesh, people are still scared to come here.”
Hotel owners in the hardest-hit villages report occupancy rates below 10%. Rebuilding has been agonisingly slow; ruins and makeshift camps are still scattered across the region more than a year after the earthquake.
Residents, who have been protesting since last year against the lack of action, say the government has offered no explanation or reassurances.
While the recovery remains uneven, Morocco’s tourism ministry wants to break more records.
“These remarkable figures represent a major step towards our goal of positioning Morocco among the top 15 global tourist destinations”, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said in a press release last week.
To break into the top 15, Morocco would need to overtake countries like Japan, which welcomed 25 million international tourists in 2023, the most recent year for which UN data is available.
Ammor highlighted several factors driving Morocco’s growth in a social media post, including the introduction of 120 airline routes in 2024—such as United Airlines’ Newark-Marrakech nonstop—and new luxury hotels from brands like Four Seasons and Nobu across the country.
Morocco has also leveraged the success of its national football team, the Atlas Lions, who made history as the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022.
Their success is now woven into Morocco’s tourism promotion. Trailers showcasing the Atlas Lions greet visitors at Marrakech airport, murals of Achraf Hakimi’s Panenka and Yassine Bounou’s iconic saves adorn streets, and the team’s legend continues to attract fans from around the world.
The record-breaking year comes as Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December 2025 to January 2026, an event expected to draw soccer fans worldwide.
By 2030, when Morocco is set to co-host the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, the country aims to welcome 26 million tourists annually—50 percent more than its current figures.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
In a congratulatory message through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the President of the Senate described the revered Islamic leader as an exemplary statesman whose life has been defined by service, wisdom, faith and an unwavering commitment to the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
Senator Akpabio commended the Sultan’s distinguished reign, noting that his leadership has consistently reflected grace, wisdom, courage and a profound sense of responsibility to the nation.
“Your reign as the Sultan of Sokoto has been defined by grace, statesmanship and an unwavering commitment to peace, unity and national cohesion. At 70, you remain a father to all and a moral compass for our nation.
“Today, we celebrate not merely the years you have attained, but the remarkable impact of your life and leadership. The bridges you have built across our diverse nation, your advocacy for good governance, peaceful coexistence and national unity, as well as your commitment to the dignity and welfare of all Nigerians, constitute a remarkable legacy of service.
The President of the Senate further acknowledged the Sultan’s influential role in promoting interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence and national reconciliation, stressing that his voice of wisdom and moderation remains invaluable at a time when Nigeria needs greater understanding, tolerance and unity.
Senator Akpabio, on behalf of his family, constituents and the 10th Senate, prayed Almighty Allah to grant the Sultan many more years in good health, wisdom and strength, so that he may continue his noble service to the Ummah and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As you mark this significant milestone, may Almighty Allah continue to preserve, strengthen, and bless you with many more years of good health and fulfilment. May your reign continue to be a source of peace, wisdom and inspiration to the Ummah and to our beloved Nigeria.”
Happy 70th Birthday, Your Eminence. May Allah continue to bless and preserve you in His service and in the service of humanity and our nation.
The Nigerian naira remained relatively stable against the United States dollar on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, as traders continued to monitor developments in the official and parallel foreign exchange markets.
The latest available Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) data put the naira at about ₦1,346.49 per dollar, while the official closing rate was ₦1,346.90/$ in the most recent confirmed trading session. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the NFEM rate is derived from the volume-weighted average of transactions in the official market.
However, a live USD/NGN market benchmark on Tuesday morning was around ₦1,347.26 to the dollar, indicating that the currency was trading close to its recent official-market levels.
In the parallel market, the dollar was quoted at about ₦1,400/$ on Tuesday, according to the latest Aboki Forex data. This puts the street-market premium at roughly ₦53.10 above the latest official closing rate.
At the parallel-market rate of ₦1,400/$, $100 would exchange for about ₦140,000, while $1,000 would be worth approximately ₦1.4 million.
The latest figures show that the gap between the official and parallel markets has remained relatively contained compared with periods of severe foreign exchange volatility.
The naira had strengthened in the official market in recent sessions. On August 21, the NFEM rate stood at ₦1,346.49/$, while the dollar closed at ₦1,346.90. The currency had traded between ₦1,342 and ₦1,348 during that session.
The naira’s recent performance has been supported by improved foreign exchange liquidity and stronger external reserves. CBN data cited in recent market reports showed Nigeria’s external reserves at about $52.66 billion as of August 19.
For Nigerians and businesses buying or selling dollars, the actual rate may vary depending on the bank, Bureau de Change operator, location, transaction size and prevailing market conditions.
Parallel-market quotations are also subject to changes during the day as dollar demand and supply shift.
On your special day, we celebrate *Rt. Hon. TEEJAY YUSUF*
A visionary leader, a political juggernaut, and a man with the fear of God.
Thank you for your uncommon leadership, mentorship, and for being a true benefactor to many.
May God grant you long life in good health, more wisdom, divine protection and greater heights in service to humanity.
Happy Birthday Sir. We celebrate you today and always.
LAGATA CARES!
Akpabio felicitates Sultan of Sokoto at 70, hails his legacy of peace, statesmanship
See Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, August 25,2026
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