A Moroccan Expatriate's Struggle to Launch an Organic Restaurant in Casablanca
Hanane Sanoussi, a Moroccan expatriate who spent 24 years living in France, returned to her homeland with a vision of creating an organic, inclusive, and socially conscious restaurant chain. As a professor and head of a digital innovation lab, she partnered with her brother to launch a project aimed at serving people with metabolic diseases while contributing positively to the local economy.
The initiative was designed to be environmentally friendly, operating exclusively on electricity and adhering to strict health and environmental standards. The first branch is set to open in the Racine district of Casablanca, on Abdelatif Benkaddour Street. Sanoussi anticipated creating around ten jobs at launch, emphasizing that the project had been carefully planned.
However, the project’s start did not go as expected. Just days after receiving her work permit, a surprise committee arrived without prior notice or an official mission order. Composed of representatives from the municipality, urban planning, local authorities, and civil protection, the committee inspected the site but ignored the documents Sanoussi had with her before leaving.
Unpredictable Challenges from Authorities
Sanoussi recounted receiving a late-night call from a local authority representative, informing her that the Caid (District chief) would arrive the next morning for an inspection. Upon arriving, she was met by the same committee without any official request and was not allowed to have her project’s architect present to explain the situation.
Two days later, Sanoussi received a formal notice ordering her to halt all work immediately, citing an alleged violation involving an interior bench placed 40 cm from its intended location and a change to the facade. She presented supporting documents, including a notary-certified inspection report, dated photographs, and a cadastral map. Despite this, she refused to sign the notice, feeling humiliated by the lack of grace period or alternative proposal.
She visited the Casablanca Prefecture with all her evidence but was sent away without a solution and told again to stop work. Sanoussi pointed out that she had a lease covering all commercial activities and a building permit signed by all relevant parties. However, the committee’s objection was based on a discrepancy in the shop’s facade as shown in the 2016 urban development plan prepared by the property developer. Sanoussi insists the facade was never built according to that plan from the start.
Neighbors’ Opposition and Legal Disputes
Sanoussi believes the delays are linked to opposition from neighbors. She claims the head of the owners’ association told her no restaurant activity would be allowed in the building and even sent her a text message stating he had taken steps to block any such project. She says she has not received any formal notification to that effect.
The head of the building’s owners’ association shared his version of events: “No decision has been made yet. We submitted a letter to the authorities, but it is not up to us, the committee is the one authorized to make the final decision.” He added that all residents oppose having a restaurant under their building, citing issues such as lack of parking spaces, small premises, and no gas outlet. Even if it runs on electricity, there will still be smells due to the lack of ventilation system.
This position contradicts the building’s co-ownership regulations, which state the premises are for commercial use without specifying the type of business or imposing any exceptions. The lease signed between Hanane Sanoussi and the property owner clearly states the premises can be used for all food-related commercial activities, including cafés, restaurants, bakeries, and ice cream shops.
Despite these legal and regulatory assurances, Sanoussi continues to face obstacles. She only learned she needed to file a modification request after her own research, a step her architect has since taken, with the file still under review.
A Call for Support and Resolution
Sanoussi expressed frustration at the lack of support and understanding from the authorities. “I am just one of many Moroccans abroad who came back with good intentions and a desire to invest, but I have found myself facing obstacles I do not know how to navigate,” she said.
zaia news attempted to contact the relevant authorities to get their side of the story and to clarify the reasons for the immediate halt order, but to no avail. The situation highlights the challenges faced by expatriates returning to Morocco with innovative projects, often encountering bureaucratic hurdles and local resistance.