Morocco’s pharmaceutical industry is welcoming a major new player. After acquiring Laboratoires Afric-Phar last November in a deal worth 2 billion dirhams, Anas Sefrioui, CEO of the Addoha Group, is now reshaping the leadership of his newly acquired pharmaceutical company. This acquisition, carried out through Ciments de l’Atlas (CIMAT), marks a significant strategic shift for the Sefrioui family, which has traditionally been rooted in real estate and cement manufacturing.
One of Sefrioui’s first moves was to restructure the company’s leadership, previously under the control of the Chaoui family. He has now taken over as chairman of Afric-Phar’s board of directors, succeeding the company’s founder, Omar Chaoui. This transition signals a passing of the torch between two of Morocco’s prominent industrial families.
Alongside this leadership change, new appointments have strengthened the company’s executive team. Malik and Kenza Sefrioui, both already active in the family’s business ventures, have joined the board. Malik Sefrioui, currently vice president of Ciments de l’Atlas and Ciments de l’Afrique, brings his industrial expertise, while Kenza Sefrioui, who has served as vice president of the Addoha Group since 2016, contributes her financial acumen, developed during her tenure at BNP Paribas Exane in New York.
Beyond the Sefrioui family, other high-level executives have been brought into key roles. Youssef Alaoui Benhachem, a graduate of the École Mohammedia des Ingénieurs and an expert in industrial development, has joined the board following an impressive career at Holcim. Meanwhile, Mohamed Habmellouk Sefrioui, a licensed pharmacist, has been confirmed as Deputy General Manager of Afric-Phar, ensuring continuity in the company’s operational management.
With these strategic appointments, the new leadership team has made its intentions clear: modernize and expand Afric-Phar while strengthening its position in both the Moroccan and African pharmaceutical markets.
By taking control of Afric-Phar and its subsidiaries, Pharmis and Partner Lab, the Sefrioui Group is entering a fast-growing industry. Their goal is twofold—bolster Morocco’s industrial footprint in pharmaceuticals and open new export opportunities across Africa, mirroring the expansion strategy they previously implemented in cement production.
Founded in 1965, Afric-Phar is currently Morocco’s tenth-largest pharmaceutical company, with a portfolio of 200 products and a 3% market share. The company specializes in producing and distributing medications across various therapeutic fields, including rare diseases, cardiology, and nephrology.
In 2023, Afric-Phar reported revenues of 784 million dirhams, providing a strong financial foundation for the Sefrioui Group to build upon as it accelerates its expansion into the pharmaceutical sector.
