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ONA Group

From Alfawiki
ONA Group
Company typeHolding company
IndustryConglomerate (Mining, Agribusiness, Distribution, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Renewable Energy)
PredecessorCompagnie Générale de Transport et de Tourisme
Founded1934
FounderJean Épinat (as predecessor company in 1919)
Defunct2010
FateMerged with Société Nationale d'Investissement
SuccessorSociété Nationale d'Investissement
Headquarters
Casablanca
,
Morocco
Area served
Morocco, Maghreb, Africa
Key people
Fouad Filali, Mourad Cherif, Bassim Jaï Hokimi, Saâd Bendidi, Mouatassim Belghazi (former chairpersons)
ProductsMining, Agribusiness, Distribution, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Renewable Energy

The ONA Group (Omnium Nord-Africain, Arabic: مجموعة أونا) was a Moroccan holding company established in 1934 and dissolved in 2010, with Societe Nationale d'Investissement as its successor. ONA functioned as a diversified industrial, financial, and service conglomerate dedicated to leadership and generating value across various sectors that contributed to the economic expansion and sustainable progress of Morocco, the Maghreb region, and the African continent.[1] Its business activities encompassed Mining, Agribusiness, Distribution, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Renewable Energy, and other key growth sectors.[2]

Both the group and its successor have actively promoted cultural projects through the Fondation ONA.[3]

In March 2010, ONA merged with Societe Nationale d'Investissement, resulting in their removal from the Casablanca stock exchange and the divestiture of its agribusiness units. This restructuring converted the conglomerate into an investment entity providing greater independence to its subsidiary companies.

History

Initially founded in 1919 by Jean Épinat under the name Compagnie Générale de Transport et de Tourisme, it served as General Motors’ exclusive representative in Morocco until 1945.[4]

The company was renamed Omnium Nord Africain in 1934, marking its entry into the mining sector that same year.[4] In 1953, Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas (Paribas) acquired control over Épinat's holdings; later in 1980, King Hassan II purchased Paribas’ shares, becoming the principal shareholder.[4]

Throughout the 1980s, ONA expanded its portfolio into dairy products, sugar refining, banking, chemicals, and textiles. By 1986, it had obtained shares in Lesieur Afrique and nearly 40% ownership of Banque Commerciale du Maroc.[5]

In 1988, ONA made an investment in 2M TV, which was the first subscription-based television channel in the Arab region.[6]

Entering the retail market in 1990, ONA launched its inaugural Marjane hypermarket. The group further extended into telecommunications by acquiring Maroc Connect in 2005 (which later became Wana corporate) and Inwi in 2009.[7][8]

In 2005, ONA established Nareva Holding to focus on low-carbon energy initiatives.

On March 25, 2010, ONA revealed a strategic plan involving its merger with SNI and exit from the Casablanca Stock Exchange.

Operations under ONA concluded on December 31, 2010; its business activities were absorbed into Societe Nationale d'Investissement.[9]

Sectoral Activities (2009)

The holding company operated across multiple industries:

Food sector (51.5% of revenue)

  • Centrale Laitière: Producer of dairy items (transferred to Danone in 2012)
  • Fromagerie des Doukkala: Cheese manufacturing
  • Cosumar: Sugar production
  • Lesieur Cristal: Oil products (acquired by Sofiprotéol in 2012)
  • Bimo: Biscuit manufacturing (sold to Kraft Foods in 2012)
  • Sotherma: Bottled mineral water
  • CMB plastique: Plastic packaging solutions
  • Seafood product lines

Distribution sector (40.5% of revenue)

Mining sector (6.1% of revenue)

  • Groupe Managem: Mining activities within Morocco and across Africa
  • Sonasid: Steel manufacturing

Growth segments and holdings (1.5% of revenue)

  • Inwi: Telecommunications service provider
  • Nareva: Energy generation and environmental services
  • Onapar: Real estate investment company
  • Accolade: Call centre operations
  • Archos Conseil: IT and management consultancy (disposed to Capital Consulting in 2010)
  • NetCom: Business IT systems and network services

Financial segment (0.4% of revenue)

  • Attijariwafa Bank: Prominent banking and financial institution in the Maghreb and African markets
  • Agma Lahlou-Tazi: Consulting in risk management and insurance brokerage

Shareholder Structure (2009)

Shareholder Percentage
Société Nationale d'Investissement 35.05
Public stock market listing 24.33
RMA Wataniya 6.96
LAFICO 5.95
MCMA/MAMDA 5.27
Siger 5.00
CIMR 4.14
FIII 2.85
Danone 2.71
Banco Santander 2.23
Attijariwafa Bank 1.40
Wafa Assurance 1.33
Société Générale 1.15
AXA Assurance Maroc 0.86
CMR 0.56
ONHYM 0.14
Zellidja 0.04
Investima 0.03

Former Chairpersons

  • Fouad Filali (1986 – April 20, 1999)
  • Mourad Cherif (1999 – 2002)
  • Bassim Jaï Hokimi (2002 – 2005)
  • Saâd Bendidi (February 2005 – April 2008)
  • Mouatassim Belghazi (April 11, 2008 – March 15, 2011)

See also

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