Morocco’s Digital Natives Challenge the Old Guard: Can Gen Z Protests Topple an Oil Tycoon Prime Minister?

In a nation where youth unemployment hovers near 30%, Morocco’s Generation Z has transformed their economic despair into political defiance, targeting the country’s wealthiest prime minister in history.

From Social Media to Street Protests

Morocco’s current wave of youth-led demonstrations represents a significant departure from the country’s traditional protest movements. Unlike the Arab Spring generation that preceded them, these Gen Z protesters—born between 1997 and 2012—have grown up in an era of relative political stability but persistent economic stagnation. Their demands for Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s resignation reflect deep frustration with a political system they view as disconnected from their daily struggles.

Akhannouch, who assumed office in 2021, embodies the very wealth disparity fueling youth anger. As CEO of Akwa Group, Morocco’s largest fuel distributor, his estimated net worth exceeds $2 billion, making him one of Africa’s richest politicians. This wealth stands in stark contrast to the economic realities facing young Moroccans, where university graduates often spend years unemployed or underemployed despite their qualifications.

The Political Awakening of Morocco’s Lost Generation

The protesters’ evolution from economic grievances to explicit political demands signals a critical shift in Morocco’s political landscape. Initially focused on job creation and economic reforms, the movement has increasingly targeted the broader political structure, with Akhannouch serving as a lightning rod for systemic frustrations. Social media platforms have amplified their message, allowing protesters to coordinate across cities and share their experiences with international audiences.

This digital mobilization has caught authorities off guard. Unlike previous generations who relied on traditional organizing methods, Gen Z protesters use encrypted messaging apps, viral hashtags, and live-streaming to document police responses and maintain momentum. Their tech-savvy approach has made it difficult for authorities to contain or control the narrative, forcing the government to respond to accusations of corruption and economic mismanagement in real-time.

Regional Implications and International Attention

Morocco’s youth protests arrive at a particularly sensitive moment for the North African region. As neighboring countries grapple with their own economic crises and political tensions, the Moroccan government faces pressure to avoid the mistakes that led to widespread unrest elsewhere. The kingdom’s stability has long been viewed as exceptional in a volatile region, but these protests suggest that even Morocco’s carefully managed political system cannot indefinitely contain youth frustration.

International observers are watching closely, particularly given Morocco’s strategic importance as a gateway between Europe and Africa. The country’s recent diplomatic successes, including normalized relations with Israel and growing influence in African affairs, could be undermined by prolonged domestic instability. European partners, concerned about migration flows and security cooperation, have a vested interest in Morocco’s continued stability.

The Deeper Crisis of Legitimacy

Beyond immediate political demands, these protests reflect a fundamental crisis of legitimacy facing Morocco’s governing institutions. Generation Z protesters aren’t merely seeking Akhannouch’s resignation—they’re questioning an entire system that has allowed extreme wealth concentration while youth opportunities dwindle. Their movement challenges the implicit social contract that has governed Morocco for decades: political stability in exchange for gradual economic progress.

The government’s response will likely determine whether this movement transforms into lasting political change or dissipates like previous protest waves. Cosmetic reforms or cabinet reshuffles may no longer satisfy a generation that has watched their parents’ patience go unrewarded. Yet meaningful structural reforms would require challenging entrenched interests that have benefited from the status quo, including the business elite that Akhannouch represents.

As Morocco’s Gen Z protesters return to the streets night after night, they force us to confront an uncomfortable question: In an era where young people globally feel disconnected from traditional political institutions, can any government maintain legitimacy while failing to provide basic economic opportunities to its youth?