McKinsey appoints Yassir Zouaoui as Managing Partner for Morocco and Francophone Africa
McKinsey & Company has announced a leadership change in its Morocco and Francophone Africa business, with Yassir Zouaoui taking over as Managing Partner from Mehdi Lahrichi, who steered the firm through a significant period of growth in the region during his five-year tenure.
Yassir Zouaoui brings 20 years of experience with McKinsey & Company to the role. He began his career in the firm’s Casablanca office before transferring to Dubai, where he spent nearly a decade in regional and global leadership roles. Among other responsibilities, he served as the global leader of the firm’s Economic Development practice.
He now returns to Casablanca to lead the business in Morocco and across Francophone Africa, which is overseen from the Casablanca office.
One of the world’s leading strategy and management consulting firms, McKinsey advises private- and public-sector clients on economic, sector, organizational and digital transformations. In Morocco, the firm primarily serves private-sector organizations, which account for nearly 90% of its business.
Commenting on his appointment, Zouaoui said: “When I joined McKinsey in Casablanca more than 20 years ago, I had a simple motivation: to contribute to the economic development of my country. What I didn’t know then was that McKinsey would give me a platform to pursue that same passion across more than a dozen countries and teach me along the way that the best ideas and expertise rarely belong to one office or one market.”
“I’m delighted to now be able to continue that journey and lead the Morocco and Francophone Africa business.”
Reflecting on the opportunities ahead in Morocco, he said: “Morocco is undergoing significant transformations. Our ambition is to co-create tangible results with our clients as a true value-creation partner, helping them address their most strategic challenges. This is the momentum we are building on, drawing on our local and global talent to generate lasting impact for businesses, Morocco and the wider region.”
A distinguished recognition
In his client work, Zouaoui works with corporations, investors and governments across North Africa, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa to drive large-scale transformations at both the organizational and national economic levels. He helps leaders design and implement strategies that reshape markets, unlock sustainable growth and deliver lasting impact.
He has extensive experience supporting economic and sector transformations, leading initiatives that accelerate sector growth and managing major investment programs to enhance competitiveness and create tangible social and economic outcomes.
Earlier this year, Zouaoui was named one of McKinsey’s first-ever Distinguished Partners, a new designation introduced by the firm to recognize colleagues whose expertise has shaped client work, firm capabilities and external practice in their fields.
“Yassir’s appointment reflects the central role Morocco plays in our development strategy across the continent. The Casablanca office is a strong hub for talent and strategic innovation,” said Gregor Theisen, Senior Partner and Managing Partner for Africa at McKinsey. “Under Yassir’s leadership, we will continue to serve as a driver of value creation for Morocco and, more broadly, for Africa.”
McKinsey’s footprint
In Africa, McKinsey & Company has six offices and employs nearly 500 people. The Casablanca office has around 120 consultants.
McKinsey’s roots in Morocco’s broader business ecosystem are also reflected in its social impact activities, including a network of several hundred alumni, recruitment from local academic institutions and close collaboration with nonprofit organizations. The Moroccan office is also a leading contributor to the company’s global social impact initiatives.
