Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch | |
---|---|
Nationality | Moroccan |
Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, entrepreneur |
Spouse | Aziz Akhannouch |
Children | 3 |
Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch is a businesswoman and entrepreneur. She is the founder and current president of Aksal Holding, a Moroccan company specializing in retail, cosmetics, luxury goods and malls. Currently, she holds the title of First Lady of Morocco (de facto only, since Morocco already has a Queen Consort).[1][2] In 2017, she was named as the "Morocco's Leading Lady of Luxury Goods" by OZY.[3]
In 2001, Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch sealed an agreement with the Spanish group Inditex.[4] In 2004, she inaugurated the first Zara flagship in Africa.[3] Aksal also owns the sole franchise rights for several leading brands in Morocco, including Zara, Banana Republic, Pull & Bear and Gap.[5][6] Between 2004 and 2019, Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch signed 23 franchise agreements with major international groups including LVMH, PPR,[7] Inditex, Richemont, Gap Inc., Fnac and The Estée Lauder Companies, among others.[8][9][10] In 2011, she inaugurated the Morocco Mall, the second largest shopping center in Africa. Spread over 10 hectares on the Corniche de Casablanca and based on an investment of 175 million euros (250 million dollars).[11][12] The Aksal group owns 50% of the Morocco Mall. Akhannouch created a Training Academy for careers in retail, the AKSAL Academy, in the same year. In 2017, Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch launched Yan&One, her own brand dedicated to beauty. She opened her new smart beauty and cosmetics store for the brand in Morocco Mall.[13][14]
Salwa Akhannouch is the second highest ranking woman after Princess Lalla Salma, the Princess Consort. She's married to Aziz Akhannouch, who took office as Prime Minister of Morocco on 7 October 2021. She's therefore the Country's First Lady.[15][16] They have three children.[17]