Nezha Hayat: Pioneering Leadership in Morocco’s Financial Sector

Early Life and Education

Born in 1963 in Casablanca, Morocco, Nezha Hayat is a distinguished financial expert and business leader. She pursued higher education at ESSEC Business School in Paris, France, graduating in 1984.

Career Milestones

Early Career

Hayat began her professional journey in Spain, working at Banco Atlantico from 1985 to 1988, where she was responsible for international risks and restructuring debt portfolios. She then served as the head of corporate finance departments at two brokerage firms in Madrid, Inverfinanzas and Bravo y Garayalde, between 1988 and 1990.

Transition to Morocco

In the early 1990s, Hayat returned to Morocco, joining BNP Paribas in Tangier in 1993. Two years later, she moved to Société Générale Maroc in Casablanca, becoming the first woman to join the bank’s management board in 2007.

Leadership at AMMC

In February 2016, Hayat was appointed by King Mohammed VI as the Chairperson and CEO of the Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC), the regulatory body overseeing Morocco’s financial markets. Under her leadership, the AMMC has focused on enhancing investor protection and market integrity. In October 2024, the AMMC signed an agreement with France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers to strengthen cooperation in capital market regulation.

Regional Influence

Hayat also serves as the chair of the Africa and Middle East Regional Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), reflecting her influence in global financial regulatory circles.

Advocacy for Women’s Empowerment

Beyond her professional roles, Hayat is a staunch advocate for women’s representation in business leadership. She co-founded the Association of Women Business Leaders in Morocco (AFEM), aiming to promote women’s participation in the highest echelons of both private and public enterprises.

Honors and Recognitions

In recognition of her contributions, Hayat was decorated with the Order of the Throne in 2013. In 2019, she received the Commander of the Order of Civil Merit from the King of Spain, Felipe VI.

Conclusion

Nezha Hayat’s career exemplifies a commitment to excellence and leadership in Morocco’s financial sector. Her efforts in regulatory reform, market development, and women’s empowerment have significantly shaped the country’s economic landscape.