Béni Mellal-Khénifra is one of the twelve regions of Morocco, covering an area of 28,374 km2, and recorded a population of 2,525,801 in the 2024 Moroccan census. The capital of the region is Beni Mellal.
Geography Béni Mellal-Khénifra is located in the interior of the country. It borders Rabat-Salé-Kénitra to the north, Fès-Meknès to the northeast, Drâa-Tafilalet to the southeast, Marrakesh-Safi to the southwest, and Casablanca-Settat to the northwest. In the western and central part of the region is the productive Tadla plains irrigated by the Oum Er-Rbia River. This plain is bracketed by the High Atlas mountains which run through the southern and eastern parts of the region, and the foothills of the Middle Atlas to the north.
History Béni Mellal-Khénifra was formed in September 2015 by adding Khouribga Province of Chaouia-Ouardigha region and Khénifra Province of Meknès-Tafilalet region to the three provinces previously making up the region of Tadla-Azilal.
Government Following the 2021 regional elections, Adil Barakat, also a member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, was elected president of the regional council. The current wali of the region is Mohamed Benribag.
Subdivisions
Béni Mellal-Khénifra comprises five provinces:
Province Population (2024) Béni Mellal Province 580,327 Azilal Province 574,112 Khouribga Province 525,145 Fquih Ben Salah Province 475,977 Khénifra Province 370,240
Regional Leadership +Wali of Béni Mellal-Khénifra since 2015NamePosition heldUnderMohamed Derdouri2015-2018King Mohammed VIAbdessalam Bekrate2018-2019Khatib El Hebil2019-2024Mohamed Benribag2024-present +Regional Council Presidents of Béni Mellal-Khénifra since 2015NamePosition heldPartyUnderBrahim Mojahid2015-2021PAMKing Mohammed VIAdil Barakat2021-presentPAM
Economy Agriculture comprises the majority of the region's economy. Major crops include cereals, beetroot, olives, citrus fruits, and pomegranates; the production of milk and meat is also substantial. The Ouled Abdoun Basin near Khouribga holds 44% of Morocco's phosphate reserves.
Infrastructure The A4 expressway connects the region with the rest of the national expressway network, passing through the cities of Beni Mellal, Oued Zem an, d Khouribga as it heads northwest to Berrechid just south of Casablanca. National Route 8 is another important highway, connecting Beni Mellal and Khenifra with Marrakesh in the southwest and Fez in the northeast. Beni Mellal Airport is served by Royal Air Maroc, and there is a rail line with passenger service that runs between Oued Zem, Khouribga, and Casablanca.
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