Anouar Benichou

Public Diplomacy and Economic Affairs counselor with over a decade of diplomatic experience in policy advisory, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement - focused on advancing Morocco’s interests in the United States. Built relationships with policymakers across the U.S. Congress, executive branch, think tanks, trade associations, and the business community. Deep understanding of U.S. political and economic dynamics, supported by a well-established network across public and private sectors.

Head of Economic Affairs Section 

Embassy of Morocco – Washington, D.C.  | 2019– Present

Bilateral Trade & Policy 

• Organize and lead negotiations for the U.S.–Morocco Joint Committee on FTA implementation, addressing non-tariff barriers, labor, and environmental issues.
• Conduct in-depth monitoring and analysis of U.S. trade and foreign policies affecting Morocco’s economic interests: e.g Inflation Reduction Act, reciprocal tariffs.
• Coordinate with U.S. Departments of State and Commerce on FDIs screening, export controls, and broader geopolitical trade dynamics.

Commercial Diplomacy & Partnerships

• Build and manage relationships with the U.S. congress, think tanks, and trade associations to expand U.S. market access for Moroccan exports.
• Serve as Morocco’s chief liaison for the U.S.–Africa Business Summit, coordinating G2B meetings and ministerial-level engagement.
• Directly supporting U.S. companies investing in Morocco by providing industry briefings. Facilitated over $2 billion investment
• Supported the expansion of bilateral air connectivity by coordinating advocacy efforts to launch direct routes from Washington D.C. (2016), Miami (2019), Newark (2024) and Atlanta (2025) contributing to a 30% increase in inbound U.S. tourism to Morocco.

Multilateral & Institutional Engagement 

• Coordinate Morocco’s engagement with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund: Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
• Led diplomatic task force to champion Morocco’s bid to host the 2023 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings.
• Coordinated technical Assistance programs with the World Bank and U.S. Department of Treasury on anti-money laundering. 

Counselor for Economic Affairs 

Embassy of Morocco – Washington D.C. | 2015 – 2019

Communication and event planning 

• Conceptualized and organized the U.S.-Morocco Trade and Investment Forum across four major cities to foster bilateral trade and build partnerships: (Atlanta 2015, Seattle 2016, Washington D.C. 2018, Miami 2019).
• Managed communication, including speechwriting, press releases, and op-eds to advance Morocco’s diplomatic and economic messaging within the U.S. policy ecosystem.
• Delivered real-time economic and political briefings, to support bilateral negotiations and institutional engagements.

Stakeholders Engagement & Risk Mitigation

• Advised on pre-litigation strategies in investment disputes to prevent escalation to ICSID arbitration.
• Organized trade missions, facilitating direct engagement between Moroccan officials and American investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.

International Development Officer – South Asia 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs– Rabat | 2012 – 2015

• Provided policy briefs on partnership opportunities with southeast Asia to develop smart cities in Morocco.
• Managed diplomatic engagements with ASEAN member states to secure support for Morocco’s candidacy to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). 
• Coordinated Japanese International Cooperation Agency’s programs in Morocco focused on women’s empowerment in rural areas.

Junior consultant

ACE and Partners Strategy Consulting Group – Rabat | 2011 – 2012

• Contributed to a comprehensive review of Morocco’s Framework Law 92-07 on disability rights and the drafting of Law 62-09 on enhancing the rights for persons with disabilities.
• Participated to an assessment of the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) program of establishing local offices for elected officials by conducting surveys to evaluate its impact on communities and constituents’ needs.
• Participated in the planning of the 4th United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Congress hosted in Rabat.

Master of Business Administration - 2025 
Mississippi State University – United States

Master in International Relations - 2011

Al Akhawayn University (American University) – Morocco

Professional Studies in Public Diplomacy - 2010

Westminster University – United Kingdom

Bachelor in International Development - 2009

Minor: Communication

Al Akhawayn University (American University) – Morocco