Enactus EMI earns national crown at Sustainable Innovation Fest 2026
The Sustainable Innovation Fest 2026 concluded in Casablanca after four days dedicated to sustainable innovation, social entrepreneurship, green transition initiatives, and youth engagement. Organized by Enactus Morocco from July 6 to July 9, the event brought together more than 1,500 young entrepreneurs, university teams, experts, business leaders, public institutions, and private sector partners around a shared objective: transforming innovative ideas into real-world solutions capable of addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges.
The highlight of this year’s festival was the victory of Enactus EMI from the École Mohammadia d’Ingénieurs at Mohammed V University, which was named national champion of the Enactus Morocco National Competition 2026. Following months of project development, field implementation, and impact measurement, the team emerged as the top performer among competitors from across the country. The victory secures its place at the upcoming Enactus World Cup in São Paulo, Brazil, where it will represent Morocco on the international stage.
A highly competitive national contest
The 2026 edition mobilized 136 Enactus teams from higher education institutions throughout Morocco. After multiple selection rounds, four teams advanced to the national final held during the closing ceremony of the Sustainable Innovation Fest.
The final national ranking was as follows:
- National champion: Enactus EMI
- National runner-up: Enactus FS Ben M’Sick
- Third place: Enactus ENSA Tanger
- Fourth place: Enactus FSJES Marrakech
The finalists presented their projects before a jury composed of entrepreneurs, industry professionals, experts, and decision-makers. Their journey reflected months of training, mentoring, prototyping, deployment, and impact assessment.
With the national title secured, Enactus EMI now begins preparations for Brazil with the ambition of showcasing Moroccan innovation among the world’s leading Enactus teams. Royal Air Maroc will serve as the official airline partner supporting the Moroccan delegation’s international participation.
Early-stage entrepreneurs also earn global opportunity
The festival also hosted the national final of the Enactus Early Stage Competition, a program designed to support emerging entrepreneurial projects with strong growth potential.
Enactus ENCG Settat claimed the national Early Stage title for 2026 and will represent Morocco at the international Early Stage Competition, which takes place alongside the Enactus World Cup in São Paulo.
The achievement highlights the growing pipeline of young Moroccan entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions capable of evolving into scalable and sustainable ventures.
Innovation programs drive engagement throughout the festival
Beyond the competitions, the Sustainable Innovation Fest served as a national platform showcasing Enactus Morocco’s various programs and initiatives. Participants explored projects focused on green transition, responsible innovation, applied research, water sustainability, entrepreneurship, and youth skills development.
The organization continues to promote a comprehensive entrepreneurial support model that extends from awareness and training to prototyping, business model development, strategic partnerships, and field implementation.
This approach reflects broader trends seen across Morocco’s innovation ecosystem, where increasing attention is being given to impact-driven entrepreneurship and sustainable development solutions.
Green Forward Conference spotlights sustainability challenges
Among the major highlights of the festival was the Green Forward Conference, which gathered entrepreneurs, institutions, companies, and sustainability experts to discuss the transition toward a greener economy.
The conference forms part of the Green Forward program implemented by SPARK and Enactus Morocco with funding from the European Union.
Discussions focused on how businesses, institutions, and young innovators can transform sustainability commitments into measurable action. Speakers addressed topics including green entrepreneurship, responsible innovation, future workforce skills, sustainable business models, access to financing, and the role of youth in accelerating environmental transition efforts.
The sessions reflected growing international and national interest in supporting climate-conscious economic development while creating employment opportunities for younger generations.
Morocco Water Race highlights solutions for water resilience
On July 6, the festival hosted the Demo Day and closing ceremony of the Morocco Water Race, an initiative led by Enactus Morocco with support from Les Eaux Minérales d’Oulmès.
The program showcased entrepreneurs and researchers working on innovative solutions related to water conservation, sustainable agriculture, resource management, and environmental resilience.
As water security remains a strategic challenge for Morocco and many countries in the region, initiatives encouraging innovation in water management continue to gain importance among public institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development organizations.
Building a national innovation platform
Through conferences, competitions, networking opportunities, and project showcases, the Sustainable Innovation Fest has strengthened its position as one of Morocco’s leading platforms connecting young innovators with the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The 2026 edition benefited from support from Crédit Agricole du Maroc, Royal Air Maroc, Bank of Africa, Green Forward, SPARK, the European Union, Sidi Ali, Les Eaux Minérales d’Oulmès, Yves Rocher France, and WeLoveBuzz.
These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to empowering Moroccan youth and supporting solutions that generate sustainable economic and social impact.
From Casablanca to São Paulo
The closing of the Sustainable Innovation Fest marks the beginning of a new chapter for Morocco’s young innovators. Enactus EMI and Enactus ENCG Settat will now carry the country’s ambitions to São Paulo, representing a generation increasingly recognized for its creativity, responsibility, and entrepreneurial spirit.
As preparations begin for the international competitions, both teams will seek to demonstrate the strength of Moroccan innovation and the growing capacity of the country’s youth to develop practical solutions for local and global challenges.
Since its establishment in 2003, Enactus Morocco has supported more than 120,000 young people and helped develop hundreds of impact-driven projects. Since 2015, the organization has also contributed to the emergence of around 100 innovative and sustainable startups, reinforcing its role as a key driver of youth entrepreneurship and social innovation in Morocco.
