Morocco stands out in the latest Forbes ranking of the 100 most influential leaders in the healthcare sector across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Three Moroccan CEOs from leading pharmaceutical companies have secured prominent spots, reflecting the country’s dynamic role and expertise in this field.
Lamia Tazi, CEO of Sothema, leads the Moroccan presence at the 36th position. She is closely followed by Ayman Cheikh-Lahlou, CEO of Cooper Pharma, ranked 40th. Completing the trio is Driss Chaoui, head of AFRIC-PHAR, who holds the 86th position. Additionally, Jean-Baptiste Boulay, President of Bayer North Africa and General Manager of Bayer Morocco SA, represents Morocco in the 67th spot.
At the top of the global list is Shaista Asif, CEO of Pure Health Holding from Pakistan, followed by Jordanian Said Darwazah (Hikma Pharmaceuticals) and Saudi Arabian Sulaiman Al Habib (HMG). This year’s ranking features a strong presence from the UAE, with 51 leaders, followed by Saudi Arabia with 23, Egypt with eight, and Morocco tied with Qatar and Kuwait, each contributing four leaders.
The MENA healthcare market was valued at $226.97 billion in 2023, with projections indicating growth to $241.13 billion in 2024, and an impressive $412.25 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. Forbes highlights that the Gulf countries, in particular, have witnessed a surge in healthcare investments, further fueling regional growth.
