Recognition of Excellence in Youth Innovation
On May 25, 2026, the vibrant city of Rabat played host to the prestigious award ceremony for the third edition of the Morocco Youth Prize, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This significant event, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, brought together a multitude of distinguished figures from the realms of culture, media, and science, all united to celebrate the remarkable achievements of young innovators in Morocco.
During the ceremony, presided over by Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, awards were presented to the top three recipients across five categories, namely scientific research, technological innovation, artistic and cultural creativity, volunteerism, and entrepreneurship. This year’s participants demonstrated exceptional talent and ingenuity, showcasing projects that hold the potential to inspire change and progress within their communities.
In the scientific research category, Asmaa Abou Ali earned the first prize with her innovative project titled "Moroccan Sahara lysi." Following closely, Ismail Ait Lahssain was awarded the second prize for his solar-powered water desalination project, while Omar Ait Haddou claimed third place for his groundbreaking discovery of rare fossilized lizards in Morocco. The technological innovation category saw Hamza Boulendoum take home the top accolade for his project "Coroosols," with Iman Ait Boukadir and Mohamed Aziz Alaoui securing the second and third positions, respectively, for their projects "AcademIA" and another noteworthy submission.
In the realm of entrepreneurship, Amina El Haid was recognized with the first prize for her remarkable project "EDELSTER." Oumnia Sahtouti and Tariq Alaoui followed, earning second and third place for their initiatives "SAELMED" and "SAMA RECYCLAGE SARL AU." In the volunteerism category, Yassine Talbi was awarded first place for his civic-oriented project "Civica," while Mohamed Tabil and Adam Chentouf were acknowledged as runners-up for their projects "ReadUP" and "Basma," respectively. Finally, the artistic and cultural creativity category saw Abdel Fattah Ankir awarded first prize for "Puzzle Maalem Zellige," with Ibrahim Khalil Benjaber and Zouhair Chihad taking second and third places for their commendable projects.
In his address, Minister Bensaid articulated the significance of the Morocco Youth Prize, emphasizing its role as a testament to the nation's commitment to youth development—a vision deeply rooted in the philosophy of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has consistently championed the youth as the true wealth of the nation and the driving force behind its progress. He further remarked that the award serves not only as a recognition of the laureates' talents and achievements but also as an encouragement for them to continue their innovative pursuits, thereby contributing to the societal advancement.
The award recipients expressed immense pride in their recognition, viewing it as validation of their hard work and creative visions. They conveyed that this honor serves as a powerful motivator to further develop their projects for the benefit of society. The panels of judges for this edition were composed of eminent personalities, including Abdeljalil Bouzoukar for the scientific research committee, Rachid Yazami for technological innovation, Tawfiq Abou Diaa for entrepreneurship, Saad Abid for volunteerism, and Naila Tazi for artistic and cultural creativity.
The Morocco Youth Prize is open to young individuals aged 18 to 30, with the aim of fostering a spirit of creative competition and honoring the exceptional talents of the Kingdom. The top three laureates are awarded cash prizes of 200,000, 100,000, and 50,000 dirhams, along with commemorative trophies, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to their respective fields.
As reported by maroc.ma.
