Maroc Soir Group
A Moroccan publishing group and newspaper publisher based in Casablanca.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Maroc Soir Group is a Moroccan publishing company headquartered in Casablanca and associated with several French- and Arabic-language newspapers and periodicals. It is described as the oldest media company in Morocco, with origins in the French protectorate period. The business began as Mas presse, a publishing enterprise established by Pierre Mas and Yves Mas; Moulay Ahmed Alaoui is also identified in reference material as a founder of the group. One of its early publications was Le Petit Marocain, a newspaper that supported French colonial policies in Morocco and defended French interests. The publication also supported the Vichy government during the Second World War and was reprimanded for that position after 1945. The company's history reflects the political and institutional changes that shaped Morocco's press industry. During the Moroccanization process, on 1 November 1971, the company was expropriated and renamed Maroc Soir. Under the new identity, it edited Le Matin and Maroc Soir, linking the group to two prominent newspaper titles in the Moroccan market. The change represented a transition away from the company's earlier protectorate-era identity and placed its publishing activities within the post-independence Moroccan economic framework. The group later underwent significant ownership changes. It was acquired by Moroccan businessman Othman Benjelloun in 2001. In March 2004, Benjelloun sold the company to Saudi businessman Othman Al Omeir, a former editor-in-chief of Asharq Al-Awsat and the owner of the digital publication Elaph. The reported transaction value was $16 million. This sale connected Maroc Soir Group to a broader Arab media ownership network while preserving its focus on Moroccan newspaper publishing. The group's listed newspaper portfolio includes Assahra Al Maghribiya, Le Matin, and Maroc Soir. It has also been associated with La Mañana, a weekly publication, and Morocco Times, which is identified as defunct. The portfolio therefore spans Arabic-language, French-language, English-language, and Spanish-language publishing initiatives, although the available reference material does not establish the current operating status of every title. The group is principally a media-publishing business rather than a diversified consumer brand: its activities center on newspapers, periodicals, editorial production, and related print or digital media properties. Available reference material does not provide a current corporate website, a complete corporate structure, current executives, audited financial information, or a definitive statement of present operating status. Accordingly, the group's current scale, revenue, employee count, and detailed digital strategy remain unverified in this dossier. Its historical importance rests on its longevity, its role in Morocco's newspaper sector, the political history of its early publications, and the ownership transitions that followed Moroccanization.
History
Maroc Soir Group traces its origins to the French protectorate period in Morocco, when the company operated under the name Mas presse. Reference material identifies Pierre Mas and Yves Mas as the founders of that enterprise and also names Moulay Ahmed Alaoui as a founder of the group. Its early publishing activity included Le Petit Marocain, a newspaper that promoted French colonial policies in Morocco and defended French interests. The paper's political stance was closely tied to the colonial order in which it operated. It also supported the Vichy government during the Second World War, a position for which it was reprimanded after 1945. The company underwent a major institutional change on 1 November 1971. During Morocco's Moroccanization process, it was expropriated and given the name Maroc Soir. The rebranded group edited Le Matin and Maroc Soir, establishing the newspaper titles that became central to its identity in the post-independence period. This transition marked a break with the company's earlier protectorate-era corporate identity while retaining its role as a significant newspaper publisher. Ownership changed again in the twenty-first century. Othman Benjelloun acquired the group in 2001. In March 2004, he sold it to Othman Al Omeir, a Saudi businessman associated with Arab media publishing. Al Omeir had previously served as editor-in-chief of Asharq Al-Awsat and was also identified as the owner of Elaph. The reported transaction value was $16 million. The sale placed Maroc Soir Group under Saudi ownership while leaving its publishing portfolio focused on Morocco. The group's documented newspaper and periodical portfolio includes Assahra Al Maghribiya, Le Matin, Maroc Soir, and the weekly La Mañana. Morocco Times is also listed among its publications but is identified as defunct. These titles indicate a multilingual publishing footprint, including Arabic, French, English, and Spanish-language activity. The available source does not provide a complete chronology for the launch, closure, or ownership of each publication, nor does it establish which titles remain active today. Maroc Soir Group is therefore best understood as a historically important Moroccan newspaper publisher rather than as a single-title consumer brand. Its significance comes from its longevity, its role in the development of Morocco's press sector, its transformation during Moroccanization, and its successive ownership changes. Publicly available material supplied for this dossier does not establish the group's current executive team, detailed corporate subsidiaries, financial performance, present website, or definitive current operating status.
- 2004
Sale to Othman Al Omeir
[1]In March, Othman Benjelloun sells the group to Saudi businessman Othman Al Omeir for a reported $16 million.
- 2001
Acquisition by Othman Benjelloun
[1]Othman Benjelloun acquires the group.
- 1971
Expropriation and rebranding as Maroc Soir
[1]On 1 November, the company is expropriated during Moroccanization and renamed Maroc Soir, editing Le Matin and Maroc Soir.
- 1945
Postwar reprimand for Vichy support
[1]The group's earlier publication activity, including support for the Vichy government, is followed by a reprimand after the Second World War.
Mas presse is established during the French protectorate period
[1]The company's predecessor, Mas presse, is founded during the French protectorate era by Pierre Mas and Yves Mas; Moulay Ahmed Alaoui is also identified as a founder in reference material.
Le Petit Marocain becomes an early group publication
[1]The group edits Le Petit Marocain, a newspaper associated with support for French colonial policies and interests in Morocco.
Products and positioning
A long-established Moroccan newspaper and publishing group with a portfolio spanning Arabic- and European-language titles.
Newspaper
Le Matin
Le Matin is one of the principal newspaper titles associated with Maroc Soir Group after the company's 1971 rebranding. It forms part of the group's French-language newspaper heritage and is listed alongside Maroc Soir as a core publication edited by the reorganized company. The supplied reference does not provide a complete account of its current ownership, circulation, frequency, or digital operations.
Newspaper · 1971
Maroc Soir
Maroc Soir is both the group's corporate name after 1971 and one of the newspaper titles it edited. The title reflects the company's post-Moroccanization identity and is listed among its principal publications. Available material does not establish its current publication status or provide verified circulation and audience figures.
Newspaper
Assahra Al Maghribiya
Assahra Al Maghribiya is an Arabic-language newspaper listed in the group's publication portfolio. It represents the Arabic-language segment of Maroc Soir Group's newspaper activities. The supplied source does not give a launch date, circulation information, or confirmed current operating status.
Weekly periodical
La Mañana
La Mañana is identified as a weekly publication associated with Maroc Soir Group. Its inclusion indicates that the group has operated beyond daily newspapers and has had a Spanish-language or Spanish-branded periodical presence. Further details about its editorial scope, launch, and current status are not provided in the reference material.
Newspaper
Morocco Times
Morocco Times is listed among the group's publications and is specifically identified as defunct. The available material does not provide its publication dates, editorial positioning, or the circumstances of its closure.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2004
Sale to Othman Al OmeirM&ABackground
After Othman Benjelloun had owned the group since 2001, the company was offered for sale in the context of a change in media ownership.
Action taken
In March 2004, Benjelloun sold Maroc Soir Group to Saudi businessman Othman Al Omeir.
Aftermath
The transaction placed the Moroccan publishing group under Saudi ownership and linked it to Al Omeir's wider Arab media interests.
Reported acquisition price. $16 million (March 2004)
1971
Rebranding following MoroccanizationStrategyBackground
The company was expropriated on 1 November 1971 during Morocco's Moroccanization process, creating a need for a new corporate identity.
Action taken
The business was renamed Maroc Soir and continued editing Le Matin and Maroc Soir.
Aftermath
The rebranding established the name under which the group became known in the post-independence Moroccan newspaper sector.
Recent events
- 2004
Othman Al Omeir acquires Maroc Soir Group[1]
M&A
In March 2004, Othman Benjelloun sold the group to Saudi businessman Othman Al Omeir. The reported purchase price was $16 million.
- 2001
Othman Benjelloun acquires Maroc Soir Group[1]
M&A
Moroccan businessman Othman Benjelloun acquired the publishing group.
- 1971
Maroc Soir Group is expropriated and renamed during Moroccanization[1]
Other
On 1 November 1971, the company was expropriated during Morocco's Moroccanization process and rebranded as Maroc Soir. The group subsequently edited Le Matin and Maroc Soir.
Sources1 sources
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