Akdital, one of Morocco’s leading healthcare providers, has officially set its sights on the Gulf region, using Riyadh as the launchpad for its international expansion. Speaking at the Global Health Exhibition—one of the world’s largest gatherings focused on healthcare innovation and investment—Deputy CEO Ilyas El Harti outlined the group’s ambitions to establish a major footprint in Saudi Arabia, with plans to eventually operate 1,000 hospital beds across the Kingdom. The move is part of a broader $1.4 billion investment strategy aimed at positioning Akdital as a key player in the Middle East’s evolving healthcare landscape.
The expansion is built on a model that separates hospital management from real estate ownership, a strategy the group has already implemented successfully in Morocco. Under this framework, Akdital will focus solely on running medical operations and ensuring high-quality care, while its partners will fund about a quarter of the investment through asset contributions. Sixty percent of the funding will go toward operational costs, and the remaining 15 percent will be used for medical equipment and facility development.
In Riyadh, Akdital has already launched two flagship projects. The first involves taking over and modernizing the Abdrahmane Al Mishari Hospital, which is currently undergoing renovations and expected to reopen in early 2026. Simultaneously, a brand-new hospital is being built from the ground up. These facilities are designed to form the foundation of a multidisciplinary hospital network across Saudi Arabia, developed in collaboration with top-tier local partners.
To oversee this Gulf expansion, Akdital will establish a new regional headquarters in Riyadh. This hub will coordinate operations not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the United Arab Emirates, while maintaining direct ties to the group’s headquarters in Morocco. The broader vision is to create a fully integrated healthcare group that bridges Africa and the Middle East, exporting Moroccan medical expertise and operational models to support regional healthcare reforms.
To finance its expansion, Akdital and its partners have already secured over $100 million in direct contributions. Additionally, the group is raising funds through a bond issuance on the Moroccan market worth 1.2 billion dirhams. A dedicated subsidiary under Akdital Morocco will also serve as a vehicle to attract institutional investors and global funds.
Saudi Arabia was chosen after several years of comparative market analysis. Akdital views the country as highly promising due to a shortage of mid-tier healthcare services and the Kingdom’s aggressive push to reform its health sector. Regulatory incentives for foreign operators and urgent infrastructure needs were also key factors in the group’s decision.
Back home, Akdital remains firmly on track. With more than 4,000 hospital beds already operational, the group has surpassed its original target for 2025 and is now aiming to reach 6,000 beds nationwide. Despite recent market volatility in Casablanca, Akdital’s stock has remained resilient, climbing from 1,135 to 1,360 dirhams in just a few weeks. Saham Capital continues to recommend the stock as a buy, setting a price target of 1,700 dirhams.
Akdital’s push into the Gulf is part of a larger strategy to facilitate the flow of medical expertise between North Africa and the Middle East. By leveraging its Moroccan know-how, the group hopes to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s future in both public health and medical coverage.
