Career
From Marrakech to the head of government
Fifty years, nearly two decades of public life: the milestones of a career marked by several firsts.
1976
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Born in Marrakech
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is born in Marrakech into a family from the Rehamna region. Her father, Abderrahmane El Mansouri, served as pasha of the city, and it is from him that she draws an early sense of public responsibility.
1994
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Baccalaureate at Lycée Victor Hugo
After her schooling in the French system in Marrakech, she earns her baccalaureate at Lycée Victor Hugo.
Studies
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Law, from Rabat to New York
A bachelor’s degree in private law at Mohammed V University in Rabat, a postgraduate diploma (DEA) in business-contract law at the University of Montpellier, then a certificate in common-law business law in New York.
2005
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Admitted to the Marrakech Bar
Registered at the Marrakech Bar, she specialises in land and real-estate law and founds her own practice, dedicated to real-estate and commercial transactions.
2008
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Founding member of the PAM
She enters politics with the Movement for All Democrats, then takes part in founding the Authenticity and Modernity Party.
2009
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Elected city councillor
At the municipal elections, she is elected to the Marrakech city council for the PAM.
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First woman mayor of Marrakech
Elected at 33 by 54 votes to 35, she becomes the first woman to lead Marrakech, and the second woman mayor in Morocco’s history.
Marrakech, the Koutoubia and the High Atlas. Photo: Paul Macallan / Unsplash (opens in a new tab) Source: Bladi.net (opens in a new tab)
2011
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Elected to the House of Representatives
She enters Parliament for the 2011-2016 term, and is re-elected for 2016-2021.
2014
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“Marrakech, City of Permanent Renewal”
His Majesty King Mohammed VI launches this 6.3-billion-dirham programme (2014-2017) in Marrakech. Her council had prepared it through 30 workshops with 1,200 citizens, and she addresses the King at the ceremony.
Source: MAP (opens in a new tab)
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Young Global Leader
The World Economic Forum names her among the 214 Young Global Leaders of the class of 2014.
Source: Médias24 (opens in a new tab)
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First on the Forbes list
Forbes lists her first in “The 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa 2014”.
Source: Forbes (opens in a new tab)
2016
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President of the PAM National Council
Elected unanimously at the 3rd national congress in Bouznika. She is re-elected unanimously on 9 February 2020 at the 4th congress in El Jadida.
Source: TelQuel (opens in a new tab)
2021
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Re-elected in Marrakech
Her list comes first in the Marrakech Médina-Sidi Youssef Ben Ali constituency, with 16,136 votes.
Source: Hespress FR (opens in a new tab)
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Mayor of Marrakech again
The city council elects her mayor with 79 votes, for the 2021-2027 term.
Source: Le360 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister for Housing and Territorial Planning
Appointed by the King at the Royal Palace in Fès as Minister of National Territory Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy. She remains Mayor of Marrakech.
Casablanca, aerial view. Photo: you deal / Unsplash (opens in a new tab) Source: Le Matin (opens in a new tab)
2022
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At the United Nations in New York
She leads Morocco’s delegation at the General Assembly high-level meeting on the New Urban Agenda.
Source: MAP (opens in a new tab)
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National Dialogue on Urbanism and Housing
Launch of a consultation across all 12 regions, bringing together more than 4,000 participants and shaping the reforms that follow.
Source: Médias24 (opens in a new tab)
2023
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Rebuilding after the Al Haouz earthquake
Her ministry oversees the reconstruction: 58,945 permits issued, meeting seismic standards and respecting local architecture. More than 54,400 homes rebuilt or repaired by September 2026.
Source: Le Brief (opens in a new tab)
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Direct housing aid presented to the King
At the Royal Palace in Rabat, she presents the new programme: 100,000 dirhams for a home up to 300,000 dirhams, 70,000 dirhams up to 700,000 dirhams.
Source: Médias24 (opens in a new tab)
2024
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Launch of “Daam Sakane”
The fully digital platform opens. By June 2026, the programme has 108,459 beneficiaries.
Source: MAP (opens in a new tab)
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Coordinator of the PAM collegial leadership
The 5th national congress in Bouznika places her at the head of the new collegial leadership. On 13 February, the King sends her a message of congratulations.
Source: Médias24 (opens in a new tab)
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On the AIMF Bureau
In Lausanne, the International Association of Francophone Mayors elects her to its Bureau.
2025
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Launch of Jeel 2030
At the Théâtre Mohammed V in Rabat, before some 500 young people, the PAM launches its national youth dialogue platform.
Source: Hespress FR (opens in a new tab)
2026
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Laws 64.23 and 34.21 published
Adopted unanimously at second reading on 7 July, they create twelve regional urban planning and housing agencies and modernise the rules on subdivisions.
Source: Hespress FR (opens in a new tab)
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The “To change course” programme
Five charters, twenty measurable commitments and a costed budget for 2027-2031.
Source: PAM (opens in a new tab)
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PAM comes first in the elections
The party comes first with 97 seats, a first since its founding. She is elected to Parliament in Marrakech.
Rabat, Hassan Tower. Photo: Xhiliana / Unsplash (opens in a new tab) Source: maroc.ma (opens in a new tab)
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Appointed Head of Government
His Majesty King Mohammed VI appoints her Head of Government at the Royal Palace in Rabat and charges her with forming the new government. A first for a woman in Morocco’s history.
Source: Médias24 (opens in a new tab)