Mohamed Tazi, Azura Group founder and pioneer of Morocco’s agro-export sector, dies

Thursday 17 September 2026 - 17:33

The Moroccan agricultural sector is mourning the death of Mohamed Tazi, founder and chairman of Azura Group, who passed away on September 15. His departure marks the end of a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that helped transform Morocco into a major international player in fresh produce exports.

Tazi built Azura from its beginnings in Agadir into a globally recognized agricultural group, particularly in the cherry tomato business. Beyond the commercial success of the company, however, his legacy also extended to rural development, education and social initiatives across southern Morocco.

From Agadir to global agricultural markets

Tazi’s entrepreneurial story began in 1988, when he established his first production operation in Agadir alongside French partners. Over the following decades, the business expanded significantly, developing an integrated agricultural model that connected production with international distribution.

Azura now operates more than 1,200 hectares of farmland and employs close to 20,000 people. The group generated more than 5 billion dirhams in revenue in 2024, according to the information provided by the company.

Its vertically integrated approach covers the agricultural chain from seeds to retail distribution, allowing Moroccan produce to reach major European supermarket groups directly.

The expansion of Azura reflected a broader transformation of Morocco’s agricultural economy, with export-oriented production becoming an increasingly important component of the country’s presence in international food markets.

A commitment to rural communities

For Mohamed Tazi, business growth was closely linked to social responsibility. In 2014, he established the Azura Foundation to support communities in the Souss region and other parts of southern Morocco.

The foundation has invested more than 60 million dirhams in initiatives focused on education, access to water and local development, benefiting more than 30,000 people.

Its projects have included the renovation of schools, the construction of accommodation facilities for young girls, centers supporting people with special needs and a maternity center. These initiatives were carried out in cooperation with educational authorities, the National Initiative for Human Development, Entraide Nationale and local civil society organizations.

Through these projects, Tazi sought to connect the economic development generated by agriculture with concrete improvements in the lives of rural communities.

A legacy built around continuity

People who worked closely with Tazi remember an energetic and open-minded entrepreneur, known for his generosity, curiosity and distinctive sense of humor.

Despite facing a serious health challenge around two decades ago, he remained professionally active and continued to take an interest in the development of his businesses and social initiatives. His wife, Fatima Rizk, accompanied him throughout much of this journey.

Tazi also paid close attention to the future of the group he had built. The transition to the next generation had been anticipated, with members of his family now involved in both Azura and its foundation.

His son-in-law, Hicham Harakat, has taken on the group's presidency and chief executive responsibilities, alongside Tazi's daughters Nada and Izza, who are involved in the next phase of the family enterprise.

His daughter Ghita also pursued a separate professional path. Known to Moroccan audiences for one of the leading roles in the film Casanegra, she later developed an entrepreneurial career in the United States.

A lasting mark on Moroccan agribusiness

Mohamed Tazi leaves behind a business that grew from a production venture in Agadir into a major agricultural enterprise with an international footprint. His career combined export-driven agriculture with a strong focus on rural communities and social investment.

His death therefore resonates beyond the Azura Group itself, closing a chapter in the story of Moroccan agribusiness while leaving the management of the company and its social commitments to a new generation.