Salwa Akhannouch

Salwa Akhannouch is a prominent Moroccan businesswoman who heads the franchise group Aksal. As part of the group's drive to introduce luxury labels to Morocco, Akhannouch has inaugurated Maroc Mall, a mega mall similar to the ones often seen in Dubai and the wealthier Gulf states that has brought labels such as Louis Vuitton or Gucci to Morocco's economic capital. Born into a merchant family Akhanouch created Aksal group in 1993 which was to bring high street brands to Morocco such as Zara or Mango. She then moved on to bigger and better things through her various real estate projects  The project represents   250 000 m2 complex on the city's famous 'corniche' which cost some Eur 180m to build.  As it stands its the largest shopping mall in Africa (excluding South Africa). Akhannouch hopes to see around 15 million visitors a year pass the doors who would spend some Eur 60m.