Abdelali Benamour: Legacy of a Visionary Economist
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, the esteemed economist and university professor Abdelali Benamour passed away at the age of 85, concluding a remarkable career that spanned several decades in higher education, economics, and institutional work. He is particularly renowned for founding the Higher School of Management (HEM) in 1988 and for his leadership of the Competition Council from August 2008 until 2018. Throughout his distinguished career, he held various significant positions within national institutions. HEM, the institution he founded, commemorated his contributions, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping its educational mission and advancing training in management and economics.
A Life Dedicated to Academic and Economic Excellence
Born on September 10, 1941, Benamour earned his Doctorate in Economic Sciences from the University of Sorbonne in Paris in 1968, after completing his academic training in economics in Fes, Rabat, and Paris. He served as a professor at Mohammed V University in Rabat and Hassan II University in Casablanca from 1966 to 2001 and held the position of director at the Higher Institute of Commerce and Business Administration (ISCAE) from 1971 to 1976. His establishment of HEM in 1988 marked a significant milestone, and he remained at the helm, guiding its growth and development.
In the realm of economics and institutional governance, Benamour's name became synonymous with the Competition Council, which he chaired starting in 2008 until he was succeeded by Idriss Akraoui in 2018. During his tenure, he was a prominent advocate for reinforcing the council's role in regulating competition within markets. His interviews and statements frequently addressed issues related to institutional stagnation, anti-competitive practices, and their impact on prices and the economy. The formal transfer of leadership between him and the new council president, Idriss Akraoui, took place in November 2018.
Benamour's influence extended beyond economics and education; he was also engaged in public and political life. He served as a parliamentary deputy for the Socialist Union of Popular Forces in Casablanca from 1976 to 1981 and held various elected responsibilities at the local level. His published biography by the National Human Rights Council notes his membership on the Board of Directors of Bank Al-Maghrib from 1994 to 2003 and his participation in the special committee for education and training, alongside roles in civil society and intellectual circles, including the founding of the "Alternatives" association.
The passing of Abdelali Benamour marks the end of a career that uniquely blended university teaching, management training, and institutional and economic work. He left an indelible mark, particularly through the establishment of HEM and his leadership of the Competition Council, in addition to his participation in numerous national bodies. His journey also reflects a significant phase in the evolution of specialized higher education in Morocco and the transition of competition issues and market regulation to the forefront of economic and institutional discussions, elements that formed an essential part of his over half-century-long career.
As reported by journal24.ma.
