Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch
Chief Executive, Aksal Group
As one of Morocco's wealthiest entrepreneurs, her retail network includes a 50 percent stake in one of Africa's largest shopping centres.
One of Morocco’s most powerful businesswomen and North Africa’s wealthiest female entrepreneurs, Salwa Idriss Akhannouch is the founder and chief executive officer of the Aksal Group, a Moroccan leader in luxury goods, department stores and shopping malls.
The Aksal Group, which attracts 15 million visitors every year and generates an estimated turnover of 5 billion Moroccan dirhams ($514 million), owns a 50 percent stake in the Morocco Mall, one of Africa’s largest shopping centres, built at a cost of over $240 million in 2007.
The conglomerate also owns the sole franchise for several leading brands in Morocco, including Fendi, Gucci, Ralph Lauren , Zara, Banana Republic , Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear and Gap.
Akhannouch inherited her wealth from her grandfather, Haj Ahmed Benlafkih, who made his fortune in the tea trade in the 1960s. She is also the wife to Aziz Akhannouch, a wealthy Moroccan businessman and politician.
VITAL STATISTICS
Find out more
Meet Africa’s Fashion Billionaires
More than half of African billionaires can thank the fashion business for part of their fortune. How did this fascinating group of moguls, merchants and mavericks climb their way to the top?
Meet Africa’s Fashion Billionaires
More than half of African billionaires can thank the fashion business for part of their fortune. How did this fascinating group of moguls, merchants and mavericks climb their way to the top?
#BoF500 — The New Class: Retailers
The best retailers curate and dramatise fashion collections to excite consumers to buy.
#BoF500 — The New Class: Retailers
The best retailers curate and dramatise fashion collections to excite consumers to buy.
In North Africa, a Story of Morocco and the Rest
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya may be North African neighbours, but their fashion markets are running at distinctly different speeds.
In North Africa, a Story of Morocco and the Rest
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya may be North African neighbours, but their fashion markets are running at distinctly different speeds.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
