The Sustainable Business Economics Center (SBEC)

VISION / OBJECTIVES

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The Sustainable Business Economics Center (SBEC) aspires to become a leading regional hub for business economics, providing actionable knowledge and advancing strategic foresight to promote sustainable economic models across Morocco and Africa.

KEY FOCUS AREAS

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Complexity-based Economic Diversification

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Macro-sectoral Impacts of Global Disruptions

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Developmental Role of Moroccan SOEs

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African Carbon Markets

Presentation

In an economic landscape shaped by uncertainty, global disruptions, and accelerated transitions, Moroccan and African businesses are increasingly called upon to rethink their value creation models and enhance their capacity for strategic anticipation and adaptation.

In response to these complex challenges, the Sustainable Business Economics Center (SBEC) was established at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) with the mission of supporting both public and private decision-makers through cutting-edge empirical research and high-quality executive education tailored to the region’s specific needs.

Firmly grounded in the economic realities of Morocco and the African continent, SBEC draws on the strengths of UM6P’s interdisciplinary ecosystem and cultivates strong partnerships with businesses, government institutions, and international organizations. Positioned at the intersection of economic theory, advanced quantitative methods, and sustainability practices, the Center aims to inform strategic choices and enable more adaptive, evidence-based policymaking.

Research Axes / Main Themes

A. Complexity-based Economic Diversification

Adaptation and application of complexity-based tools to monitor Morocco’s economic structure, uncover hidden constraints, and identify viable and sustainable pathways for industrial and regional diversification.

B. Macro-sectoral Impacts of Global Disruptions

Modeling and assessing the effects of economic, political, and climatic shocks on different sectors, with targeted strategic recommendations to enhance resilience and adaptability.

C. Developmental Role of Moroccan State-owned Enterprises (SOEs)

Assessment of SOEs’ potential to serve as catalysts for economic diversification, innovation diffusion, and the green transition, while generating inclusive social outcomes at both national and local levels.

D. African Carbon Markets

Analysis of Morocco’s and Africa’s participation in carbon markets, including MRV (monitoring, reporting, and verification) methodologies adapted to African contexts and a review of relevant regulatory frameworks and market participation mechanisms.

LED BY

Mounssif Aderkaoui

Director SBEC and Professor, ABS / FGSES

Mounssif Aderkaoui leads the Sustainable Business Economics Center (SBEC) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), driving cutting-edge research in business economics and strategic foresight for sustainable economic models across Morocco and Africa.

His expertise spans complexity-based economic diversification, macro-sectoral impact analysis, and the developmental role of state-owned enterprises in promoting inclusive growth and green transition initiatives.

Under his leadership, SBEC has established strong partnerships with international institutions and contributes to evidence-based policymaking through interdisciplinary research and executive education programs.

Key Members

Mohammed Kharbach

Professor, ABS

Issam Samiri

Professor, ABS

Bilal Islah

Professor, ABS

Wael Aaminou

Affiliate Professor, ABS

Partners

Academic Institutions

Mines Paris – PSL

Harvard Growth Lab

Toulouse School of Economics

Think-Tanks

Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)

Climate & Company

Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

International Organizations

World Bank

OECD

AFD (French Development Agency)

GGGI (Global Green Growth Institute)

Current Projects / Key Publications / News

Featured Publications

The implications of CBAM for the Moroccan economy

Impact of US countervailing duties on fertilizer and agricultural product prices

Impact of the tariff war and the depreciation of the dollar on the global fertilizer trade and on the margins of OCP Group

White paper on voluntary carbon markets in Morocco (in progress)

News

SBEC organizes the Carbon Markets Forum 2025

Date: April 28, 2025

Location: ABS/UM6P Campus, Rabat

Participants: Representatives from the public, private, academic and civil society sectors (~270 participants)

About the 2025 edition

The Carbon Markets Forum 2025 convened leading national and international stakeholders to drive the structured, transparent, and credible growth of carbon markets in Morocco and Africa. The event contributed to capacity building, knowledge exchange, advocacy, and the creation of strategic partnerships.