Benguerir (; ; officially in Arabic: ) is a city in central Morocco and the administrative center of the Rehamna province, within the Marrakesh-Safi region. The city is situated in the historical territory of the Rahamna tribe and is notable for its educational, industrial, and military significance.
Name and etymology The name derives from "son of Jarir" (or "Ben Guerir") following a common Moroccan geographic pattern (similar to Ben Slimane or Fquih Ben Salah). The name can be traced back to an individual associated with the Hilalian tribe of Awlad Jarir who settled along the trade route linking Fes and Marrakesh, creating a weekly Tuesday market (Souq Tlat Ibn Jarir) in the area. Because he was neutral to Rahamna tribal factions, the site served as an open gathering point. The local Arabic dialect permits the phonetic alternation between the knotted kaf / gaf (ڭ) and standard jim (ج), making Benguerir and Ibn Jarir linguistically identical.
The city's name is rendered in several spelling variations in Arabic:
(Ibn Jarir), used by the municipal council of Benguerir.
reflects the pronunciation in Moroccan Arabic, using the letter gaf ().
and substitute the Standard Arabic jim () for gaf, and frequently appear in state administrative records and national transport schedules.
Geography Benguerir lies in a semi-arid zone in central Morocco, north of Marrakesh. Its geographical location has historically made it a strategic center within the Rehamna tribal territory and later a key node in national development strategies.
History Benguerir was originally founded as a weekly Tuesday market (souk) known as Souq Tlat Ibn Jarir (), by an individual, most probably a merchant, from the Hilalian tribe of Awlad Jarir, who regularly travelled between Fez and Marrakesh for trade, named Ibn Jarir. The precise date of its foundation remains unknown. The market acted as a crossroad between Marrakesh, Fez and Atlantic ports (Safi, El Jadida...). Its site was selected because of its flat terrain, accessible groundwater, proximity to established tribes and position along a protected historic caravan route secured by rest posts (nzayil, ). The site also functioned as a neutral meeting ground between tribes, without territorial dispute, as the founder was not a member of the local Rahamna factions. The founder was neither a Sufi saint (wali) nor is there a tomb (darih) or lodge (zawiya) associated with the site.
During the reigns of sultans Hassan I and Abdelaziz, the Makhzen actively invested in the Rehamna region's pastoral economy. Documents from the Hassani archives show the Makhzen supplied local tribal leaders with work animals in the late 19th century.
The water source of the original souk was absorbed into the railway grounds in the early 20th century to build a water tower servicing the stations and early municipal offices. The town was documented in French Protectorate writings.
In 1979, the , managed by OCP Group, entered production.
The launch of the Casablanca–Marrakesh expressway in 2008 hurt the city's economy. In 2018, a new train station was built and replaced the smaller existing one. In 2026, the green corridor of Benguerir was set to undergo a transformation along a new section of its route, for a budget of approximately 22.5 million dirhams, as part of a 2024-2027 urban renewal and development program. Planned work includes landscaping, the creation and expansion of parking lots, sewer and stormwater drainage systems, new road markings and traffic signs, recreational areas, public restrooms, street furniture among other amenities, and improved solar-powered LED panels.
Transportation
Rail The Benguerir train station links the city to the rest of the Moroccan rail network, with trains running daily to all other major cities including a direct line to Safi through Youssoufia, another phosphate-rich town. In the framework of the Kenitra-Marrakech high speed rail line, a new "Benguerir Green City" train station is planned for construction, but the first call for tender was unsuccessful due to a lack of bidders, in part caused by a deficit in workforce and a rapid increase of ongoing construction projects. Benguerir is also planned to be linked to the future regional train network of the Rehamna region.
Road Benguerir is linked to the Casablanca–Agadir A3 Highway.
Demographics
Education
Benguerir is home to University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), a major institution focusing on research, innovation, and sustainable development. The university played a central role in the city’s transformation into a knowledge and technology hub.
Additionally, the city hosts the , a selective high school that also offers post-secondary preparatory classes for admission to elite universities, with a strong focus on science and engineering.
In December 2024, Benguerir was officially recognized as a UNESCO Learning City for its efforts in promoting inclusive education, lifelong learning, and sustainable urban development.
Economy The city is a major center for the extraction and processing of phosphate rock, primarily operated by the OCP Group, one of the world's largest phosphate exporters.
In recent years, OCP has spearheaded efforts to develop Benguerir into a model green city, integrating sustainable urban planning and environmental practices.
Military Benguerir hosts the Ben Guerir Air Base.
See also OCP Group University Mohammed VI Polytechnic Ben Guerir Air Base
References