Moulay Hicham

A Moroccan prince driving social reform and economic empowerment through innovative initiatives

Moulay Hicham ben Abdallah Alaoui is a Moroccan prince and social entrepreneur who has significantly impacted his nation's development through strategic philanthropy and economic innovation. Born in 1976, he emerged as a key figure in the early 2000s, leveraging his royal lineage to address systemic challenges while maintaining a focus on grassroots empowerment. His work bridges traditional Moroccan values with modern socio-economic strategies.

Central to his legacy is the Moroccan Philanthropy Foundation, which he co-founded in 2003. This organization focuses on education, healthcare, and small business development in underserved regions. Notably, the foundation's Education for All program has provided scholarships to over 10,000 rural students, directly addressing educational disparities. Hicham also pioneered the Atlas Valley Initiative, a sustainable economic project revitalizing traditional crafts industries while creating jobs for marginalized communities.

His 2015 book Building Bridges: A Prince's Journey Through Morocco's Soul (available here) chronicles his vision for a socially inclusive Morocco. Hicham's approach emphasizes collaboration with NGOs and private sector partners, exemplified by his partnership with UNICEF to expand maternal healthcare access in rural areas. His advocacy for gender equality led to the creation of the Women's Economic Empowerment Network, which has trained over 5,000 Moroccan women in digital entrepreneurship since 2018.

Despite his royal status, Hicham prioritizes transparency and measurable impact. His Open Governance Initiative, launched in 2020, uses blockchain technology to track aid distribution, reducing corruption in social welfare programs. His work has been profiled in international media such as Time Magazine and Al Jazeera, earning him recognition as one of Africa's most influential social innovators.