Mohamed Hassan Bensalah moves to acquire Groupe Maroc Soir

Thursday 01 - 14:30

A new chapter is taking shape for Groupe Maroc Soir after businessman Mohamed Hassan Bensalah reached an agreement to acquire the Moroccan media group. The transaction, announced on October 1, 2026, has yet to receive the regulatory approvals required for completion.

The proposed takeover comes as the media industry undergoes a profound transformation, driven by changing audience habits, the rapid expansion of digital platforms and the emergence of new ways of producing and consuming news. According to a statement published by Le Matin, the project is intended to give Groupe Maroc Soir additional momentum in both the Moroccan and international markets.

A digital shift at the center of the project

One of the main priorities outlined in the acquisition plan is to accelerate the group's digital development. The strategy is expected to encourage the creation of new editorial formats and adapt the group's media offering to an audience increasingly turning to digital channels for information.

For Groupe Maroc Soir, this evolution represents an attempt to combine its established media identity with the requirements of a rapidly changing news environment. The project also places emphasis on innovation and on strengthening the group's ability to expand its reach beyond Morocco.

Continuity of the editorial identity

The proposed ownership change is not presented as a break with the group's existing editorial positioning. The project calls for the preservation of its identity and current editorial line, while reaffirming principles including journalistic rigor, professionalism, information quality, editorial independence and responsibility.

These principles are expected to remain central as the group develops its digital activities and explores new media formats. The stated objective is to build on the reputation established by Groupe Maroc Soir while equipping it to respond to structural changes affecting the press sector.

A broader ambition for Moroccan media

Beyond technological modernization, the project places the media group within the wider economic, social, cultural and institutional developments taking place in Morocco. The stated ambition is to maintain a strong national presence while developing greater international visibility.

The proposed acquisition therefore comes at a time when traditional media organizations are being challenged to rethink their business models, strengthen their digital presence and maintain the credibility of their editorial work.

Recognition of the group's legacy

Mohamed Hassan Bensalah also paid tribute to Othman Al Omeir and to the teams who have contributed over the years to the development of Groupe Maroc Soir. The statement credited their work with helping establish the group's reputation and credibility in the Moroccan media landscape.

The transaction remains conditional on the completion of the necessary regulatory procedures. If finalized, the acquisition would mark an important ownership transition for Groupe Maroc Soir while placing digital development, innovation and international expansion at the heart of its next phase.