Morocco Outbound Program 2024: Bridging Cultures, Building Futures
“Morocco truly bridges worlds.” – Nishant Dixit
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a U.S. State Department-funded initiative that brings professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 to U.S. cities for hands-on professional experiences at a variety of host organizations. After the program ends, Americans that hosted the Fellows at their places of work are selected for the opportunity to travel to the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region, visiting the home countries of the Fellows they once hosted.
In the U.S., Kerry Duggan hosted Asmahan Alt Chattou at SustainabiliD, Nishant Dixit hosted Yassine Aakam at Plug and Play, and Ruben Cantu hosted Chaimae Bahi Slaoui at the Women’s Initiative for Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development (WIELD) program as well as the Product Prodigy Institute Program. After the fellowship, the U.S. hosts became Outbound Fellows to Morocco, exploring both the cultural underpinnings and entrepreneurial future of the country. To them, every aspect of Morocco was unforgettable.
The U.S. Fellows and their hosts have dinner together in Marrakech.
Their journey began in Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Kerry recalls the city’s charm: “Friday couscous, lounging cats, and cups of tea during meaningful conversations underscored the unique charm of this capital city.” As they visited other cities including Marrakech, Agadir, and Tangier, even more treasures awaited them: saccharine sweets, stunning coastlines, shared meals, and unforgettable people. The Fellows were particularly struck by Morocco’s rich hospitality and cultural depth. Kerry was moved by the blend of culture and religion, noting how churches, mosques, and synagogues stood side by side. Then, in Marrakech, she reflected on how culture and sustainability intertwined. “Immersing myself in the city’s bustling souks and architectural beauty revealed how deeply intertwined culture and sustainability are in driving meaningful change.” Across all cities, she and the other Fellows sensed a palpable energy towards creating innovative, sustainable solutions.
A stop for tea in Marrakech.
Witnessing Morocco’s commitment to sustainability and innovation wasn’t just inspiring, but personally applicable. During the exchange in the U.S., Kerry had worked on an agrotech startup with her Moroccan Fellow, Asmahan Alt Chattou, a green tech entrepreneur. While in Morocco, the two were able to connect with Moroccan Agribusiness experts. Kerry loved spending quality time with her MENA Fellow, dining together and visiting the souq. At the souq market, Asmahan helped Kerry negotiate, sharing yet another piece of Morocco’s vibrant culture. From this experience, Kerry felt a deep gratitude for the experiences she was afforded abroad.
The U.S Fellows speaking at a workshop in Tangier.
The Fellows were impacted by these long-term connections they built within their network. While Kerry helped Asmahan, Nishant connected with his own Fellow. Back in the U.S., Nishant had worked on entrepreneurship development with Yassine Aakam at Plug and Play Detroit. Aakam is the founder of a B2B tech startup called iHub that helps empower Moroccan companies with AI, warehouse management, and inventory management software. In the beginning, Aakam had sought the company out, and Nishant explained, “we are so glad he did!” Now, Nishant had the opportunity to represent the Plug and Play Tech Center in Morocco, further bridging the worlds of U.S. and Moroccan innovation.
Throughout their travels, Nishant and the other Fellows witnessed Morocco’s dynamic startup ecosystem firsthand. He and the other Fellows were introduced to various programs meant to uplift emerging sectors and companies. He met with DigiGirlz Morocco, an Association Anoul initiative to train the next generation of STEM women. In Marrakech, he also witnessed the Emerging Business Factory and the Amal Women’s Training Center. Nishant gave back by offering insight on how product management and design thinking could help the Amal Center reorganize their NGO.
Between organizations, the Fellows saw how technology played a key role in their work with their Moroccan counterparts. Nishant noted that Morocco held immense promise for the years to come, particularly through the strong character of each driven individual. “Moroccan youth and women in particular are eager to leave their mark, start new enterprises, and show the world that Morocco can compete with the best in the world,” he said. “They have a bit of Detroit in them. The hustle, the grit, and that swagger that comes with being underestimated.”
Ruben Cantu, in light of the workshops held, felt that the country was “on the cusp of a transformative revolution, particularly for women.” He emphasized particular strengths across Morocco’s cities, from Tangier’s unique position as a cultural and logistical bridge to Marrakech’s potential to become a leading innovative hub. Ruben’s time in Morocco was marked by meeting his own MENA Fellow from the prior exchange program: Professor Chaimae Bahi Slaoui. In the U.S. they had collaborated on two programs that centered around entrepreneurship, leadership, and work culture in the United States. In Morocco, Chaimae could apply what she learned to a series of activities to build up resources and confidence of aspiring business owners. When Ruben visited, they explored ways to formalize collaborative projects between Morocco and the U.S.. The partnership was a perfect case of cultural exchange, mutually reinforcing each other’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Reuben reflected, “I look forward to continuing to build relationships and contribute to the growth and development of both cities.”
(from left to right) Chaimae, Ruben, and Nishant at the Technopark in Casablanca.
Sustainability, urban development, entrepreneurship, and innovation all lay at the heart of the Moroccan organizations the Fellows partnered with. The Fellows saw how culture and initiative intertwine in Morocco, creating a hotbed for new ideas and future growth. As they maintain the connections they forged and build upon the work they’ve already done, this experience will continue to impact them on a personal and professional level every day.
About the Author: Elise Bourmatnov is the Spring 2025 International Program Development and Communications Intern for the PFP, a U.S. Department of State initiative administered by Legacy International.