Samir Belfkih, Housing Minister and spokesperson: career and what changes for Moroccans abroad buying a home
Appointed on 16 October 2026, Samir Belfkih takes over Housing and becomes government spokesperson, with Fatima Saadi as minister delegate. His career, and direct housing aid for Moroccans abroad: 100,000 or 70,000 dirhams, the five-year rule, the new 60-day deadline.
11 June 2023, International Publishing and Book Fair, Rabat. A professor of applied mathematics presents a 135-page book on the country's future. "No one today can deny the enormous momentum our country has experienced over the past two decades," he tells the audience. He is then running an engineering school, ENSAM Rabat.
Three years later, on Friday 16 October 2026, Samir Belfkih becomes Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy. He is also the government spokesperson. It is his first ministerial post. For Moroccans abroad, the stakes are concrete: his ministry runs the direct housing aid, and nearly one beneficiary in four is a Moroccan living abroad.
Key points
- •A native of Sefrou, with a doctorate in science from Montpellier II University, a university professor and head of ENSAM Rabat since 2022.
- •Appointed on 16 October 2026 Minister of Housing and Urban Planning and government spokesperson. He succeeds Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, who now heads the government.
- •Fatima Saadi, former head of Al Hoceima's municipal council, is his minister delegate for Housing and City Policy.
- •The direct housing aid pays 100,000 or 70,000 dirhams for a first new home. More than 105,000 households have received it, 24% of them Moroccans abroad.
- •Since 1 October 2026, the deed of sale can be signed within 60 days instead of 30, and the release of the mortgage can be requested online.
A mathematician from Sefrou
Samir Belfkih earned a master's degree in applied mathematics from Mohammed V University in Rabat in 1997. A year later he obtained a postgraduate diploma (DEA) from Paris-Dauphine University. In 2002 he completed a doctorate at Montpellier II University. He then taught at Ibn Tofail University and the ENSA engineering school in Kenitra, and at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, where he led a research team.
From 2011 to 2016 he sat in the House of Representatives, on the committee that examines legislation on the interior, local authorities, housing and city policy. The future housing minister has therefore already read his sector's laws line by line. From 2014 to 2017 he was a member of the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research. From 2015 to 2021 he sat on the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra regional council.
At the end of 2022 he was appointed head of the National School of Arts and Crafts (ENSAM) in Rabat. In April 2026 he was still speaking at GITEX Africa in Marrakech on artificial intelligence and public servants' skills. He is married with three children.
Two roles
The ministry, and the voice of the executive. TelQuel sums it up: he "combines a technical ministry with the most exposed role in the executive". As spokesperson, he will present the decisions adopted after each Government Council, including those that affect Moroccans abroad. As of 17 October 2026, he had not yet held his first press briefing.
Alongside him, Fatima Saadi takes Housing and City Policy as minister delegate. Born in 1969 in Al Hoceima and trained in linguistics, she was the first woman to head Al Hoceima's municipal council, from 2009 to 2015, then a member of parliament from 2016 to 2021.
Direct housing aid: what concerns you
This is the part that concerns you directly. The rules below are those in force on 17 October 2026.
The amount. 100,000 dirhams for a home costing 300,000 dirhams or less including tax. 70,000 dirhams for a home between 300,000 and 700,000 dirhams. The programme runs from 2024 to 2028.
Who is eligible. Moroccans living in Morocco or abroad who do not own a home in Morocco and have never received housing aid. The official sources consulted mention no income condition.
The home. It must be a new home bought from the developer, with an occupancy permit issued from 1 January 2023, and at least two rooms. It must be neither rented out nor used for business.
The rule for Moroccans abroad. The ministry's press release is precise: Moroccans abroad "must keep the homes in question in Morocco for five (5) years as their residence in Morocco, or make them available, free of charge, to their spouses, parents or children". If the home is sold within five years, the aid must be repaid. A mortgage is registered in favour of the State to guarantee this commitment.
The process. The application is made online, on the Daam Sakane platform. Approval in principle is given within 7 days at most. The notary files the preliminary sale agreement, then the aid is paid to the notary within 15 days: it goes to the notary, not to the buyer. Since 1 October 2026 and decree No. 2.26.578, the final deed must be signed within 60 days, up from 30.
Online mortgage release. The same decree allows the release of the mortgage to be requested on the platform. The answer is given within 30 days at most, once the five years of residence are proven or the aid has been repaid.
Notary fees. They are capped at 2,500 dirhams including tax for a home of 300,000 dirhams or less, from the preliminary agreement to the property certificate.
Joint ownership. With the 2026 finance law, access to the aid "has been extended to joint owners", according to the ministry. This covers, for example, a share of a family home received as an inheritance. The exact terms have not yet been set out publicly.
What is not specified. The official sources consulted do not describe a specific procedure for applying from abroad, for example through a power of attorney.
The record. On 2 June 2026, more than 105,000 households had received the aid, out of 218,000 applications. 24% were Moroccans abroad. Fez led the prefectures, ahead of Berrechid, Meknes and Greater Casablanca.
Other meeting points between Moroccans abroad and this ministry
The summer caravan. Every summer since 2024, the "Urban Planning and Housing at the service of Moroccans of the World" operation has welcomed Moroccans abroad during their holidays. In 2026, a mobile agency staffed by the ministry, Al Omrane and the urban agencies left Tangier in August for Oujda, Meknes, Errachidia, Beni Mellal, Marrakech, Agadir, Laayoune, Casablanca and Rabat. Al Omrane can be reached on 0801 00 15 16.
Property prices. According to Bank Al-Maghrib and the land registry agency, prices rose 0.7% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, and transactions 6.3%. Over the quarter, Tangier led the rise (+2.3%), ahead of Rabat (+1.9%) and Fez (+1.7%).
Slums. 62 cities and urban centres have been declared "slum-free". The stated goal is to eradicate this type of housing by 2028.
A mathematician who has spent his life between lecture halls and committees now takes charge of Moroccans' housing, and the government's voice. His first press briefing will show what place he gives to those who buy from afar.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Samir Belfkih? An academic from Sefrou with a doctorate from Montpellier II University, a former member of parliament (2011-2016) and head of ENSAM Rabat, appointed on 16 October 2026 Minister of Housing and Urban Planning and government spokesperson.
Who is Morocco's government spokesperson in 2026? Samir Belfkih, since 16 October 2026.
Who is Fatima Saadi? The minister delegate for Housing and City Policy since 16 October 2026, born in 1969 in Al Hoceima, a former head of Al Hoceima's municipal council.
Can a Moroccan abroad receive the direct housing aid? Yes, if they do not own a home in Morocco and have never received housing aid. They must keep the home for five years as a residence, or lend it free of charge to their spouse, parents or children.
How much is the housing aid in Morocco? 100,000 dirhams for a home of 300,000 dirhams or less, 70,000 dirhams between 300,000 and 700,000 dirhams.
What changed on 1 October 2026? The deadline for signing the final deed rose from 30 to 60 days, and the mortgage release can be requested online, with an answer within 30 days at most.
Sources
- •Cover photo: Samir Belfkih, Le12.ma (press photo)
- •Official biography released by MAP on 16 October 2026, carried by Le Matin, Hespress, TelQuel and Atlas24; Hespress (Arabic edition) and Belpresse, 16 October 2026
- •Le360, 11 June 2023; La Vie éco, 12 June 2023; ENSAM Rabat, 9 April 2026; Morocco World News, 16 October 2026
- •Fatima Saadi: Hespress (Arabic edition) and Atlasinfo, 17 October 2026; Le Brief, 16 October 2026
- •Ministry press release on direct housing aid, 2 January 2024 (Chantiers du Maroc, Boursenews); decree No. 2.23.350 (Hespress, 3 November 2023); decree No. 2.26.578 (Sabah Agadir and Bayane Marrakech, 7 October 2026)
- •Official figures: maroc.ma (MAP), 3 June 2026; Le360, 27 October 2023 and 12 May 2026; Hespress, 20 October 2023
- •Diaspora caravan: Maroc Hebdo, 28 July 2024; Yabiladi, 5 August 2025; MAP via AllAfrica, 9 August 2026
- •Property prices: Hespress, 28 August 2026, based on Bank Al-Maghrib and the land registry agency (ANCFCC)
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