Upcoming International

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is our great pleasure to invite you to attend the 14th African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) conference and the 2nd International Congress of the Moroccan Society of Genomics and Human Genetics (SM2GH), which will be held from 14th to 17th December 2022, in the Mohammed VI Foundation Conference center, in Rabat.

This year, the SM2GH has the great honor to host the AfSHG conference. The theme of the meeting is “Applications of Genomics Medicine in Africa”. Healthcare is advancing at a fast pace worldwide and genetics is becoming an integral part of medicine and public health. However, despite major advances and initiatives in the last decade, the field of genetics in Africa is still lagging behind which limits the promise of applying recent genetics and genomics applications and findings in academic, industry and healthcare contexts. Applications of genetics and genomics medicine are enabled by genetic and genomic profiling of individuals and populations, the discovery of genes and variants associated with disease phenotypes as well as our understanding of pathogens and the microbiome. These applications range from fundamental understanding of mechanisms of disease to translational applications such as early diagnosis of disease, genetic testing and pharmacogenetics.
 
These areas of investigations have significant ethical implications on societies and involve consideration of data sharing practices that enhance collaboration and usefulness of the genetic datasets generated. These topics will be discussed in the conference by expert scientists, journal editors, researchers, administrators of large genetic studies and clinicians. The conference will also have representation from major companies involved in the field of genetic research and biotechnology in Africa.
 
The scientific program of the conference covers multiple hot and recent topics in the field of genetics and will provide ample networking opportunities to participants hosted at the beautiful and historic capital city of Morocco, Rabat. The line-up of speakers includes distinguished scientists from around the world and who will share recent knowledge and findings in multiple sub-disciplines of genetics.
 
Participation of students and junior scientists through talks and posters will enhance the program of the conference and will provide them with opportunities to learn about career opportunities and pathways of African scientists established in Africa and elsewhere. 

My best wishes for a successful and fruitful conference and many thanks to all members of the organizing committee.

Yours Sincerely,

Prof. Khalid SADKI
Organizing Committee
President Founder of SM2GH
Chairman of the congress

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Here is to formally welcome you to the 14 th conference of the African Society of Human Genetics to be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 14 th -17 th December 2022. 

After extensive consultation lasting through 2002 and 2003 with researchers in the field of genetics in Africa, United States and Europe, the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) was established. The inaugural conference was held in Accra, Ghana, West Africa, in December of 2003. This meeting was very successful, and it brought together for the first time, a large cohort of African scientists, and scientists with interest in Africa, as well as the public to discuss genetic research in Africa. The Society currently has hundreds of active members representing at least 30 African countries, and individuals from the United Kingdom, European countries, and the United States. The fundamental goals of the AfSHG are education, networking, capacity building and research development.

This 2022 Conference will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of Moroccan Society of Genomics and Human Genetics (SM2GH). This joint conference will further one of the aims of the Society to collaborate with and support the activities of existing professional genetic/genomic societies in Africa.

We look forward to welcome you in Rabat and working with all of you in delivering a successful and memorable Scientific event.

Prof Ambroise Wonkam, MD, PhD
President of the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG)
awonkam1@jhmi.edu ; ambroise.wonkam@uct.ac.za

Organizing Committee

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Local Organizers/ SM2GH Team :

• Sadki Khalid, Fundamental Sciences Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat
• Belmouden Ahmed, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir
• Baassi Larbi, Institut National d’Hygi`ene, Rabat
• Nawal Bouyahyaoui, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat
• El Mzibri Mohammed, CNESTEN, Maroc
• Idaghdour Youssef, New York University Abu Dhabi, EAU
• Abbas Younes, Sultan Moulay Slimane University in B ́eni Mellal
• Mohamed Gouskir, Sultan Moulay Slimane University in B ́eni Mellal
• Ikram Salih, Mohammed V University in Rabat
• Najwa Maazaz, Mohammed V University in Rabat
• Ennibi Oumkeltoum, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat
• El Kadmiri Nadia, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir
• Caidi Hayat, CDC Atlanta, USA
• Lemkhente Zohra, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir
• Boubrik Fatima, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir
• Meryem Fakhhari, Mohammed V University in Rabat
• Rifai Laila, Institut National d’oncologie, Rabat
• Laraqui Abdelilah, Hôpital d’instruction Militaire Mohammed V de Rabat, Maroc
• Barakat Abdelhamid, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca
• Mguil Malika, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat

AfSHG Organizing Team :

• Ambroise Wonkam, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
• Vicky Nembaware, University of Cape Town, South Africa
• Scott Williams, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
• Michele Ramsay, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Ghada kamah, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, Egypt
• Siana Nkya, Dar es Salaam University, Tanzania
• Amadou Gaye, National Institutes of Health, USA
• Rokhaya Ndiaye, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal.
• Sirugo Giorgio, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
• Guida Landoure, Faculté de Médecine et d’Odontostomatologie, Mali
• Mohamed Zahir, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania
• Raj Ramesar, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Scientific Committee

NATIONAL

• Sadki Khalid, Fundamental Sciences Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat
• Belmouden Ahmed, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir
• Barakat Abdelhamid, Institut Pasteur du Maroc
• El Mzibri Mohammed, CNESTEN
• Rachid Abilkassem, Hôpital d’instruction Militaire Mohammed V de Rabat
• Errihani Hassan, Institut National d’Hygiène, Mohammed V University in Rabat
• Nejmeddine Mohamed, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir
• Izaabel El Hassan, Ibn Zohr Mohammed V University, Agadir
• Dehbi Hind, Hassan II University in Casablanca
• Oumzil Hicham, Institut National d’Hygiène, Université Mohammed V de Rabat
• Aboussair Nisrine, Ibn Tofail University, Marrakech
• Sanaa Chala, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université Med V de Rabat, HMIMV

INTENATIONAL

• Ambroise Wonkam, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
• Vicky Nembaware, University of Cape Town, South Africa
• Scott Williams, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
• Michele Ramsay, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Ghada kamah, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, Egypt
• Siana Nkya, Dar es Salaam University, Tanzania
• Amadou Gaye, National Institutes of Health, USA
• Rokhaya NDIAYE, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal.
• Sirugo Giorgio, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
• Guida Landoure, Faculté de Médecine et d’Odontostomatologie, Mali
• Mohamed Zahir, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania
• Raj Ramesar, University of Cape Town, South Africa
• Issiaka Soulama, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
• Yosr Hamdi, Institut Pasteur de Tunis
• Leon Mutesa, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
• Idaghdour Youssef, New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Karim Benabdelah, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Spain
• Aimé LUMAKA, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Said Aoufouchi, Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris, France

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Plenary & Keynote Speakers :

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Name	Institution	Country
Eleftheria Zeggini	Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health	Germany
Dominique Charron	Laboratoire “Jean Dausset”. Hopital Saint-Louis . Université de Paris.HIPI.Inserm U 976..France	France
Sarah Tishkoff	Departments of Genetics and Biology. University of Pennsylvania	USA
Ambroise Wonkam	McKusick-Nathans Institute and Department of Genetic MedicineJohns Hopkins University	USA
Scott Williams	Departments of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, and Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland	USA
Walter Bodmer	Cancer and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK	UK
Gloria González Aseguinolaza	Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene expression Program, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain	Spain

Confirmed Speakers

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Name	Institution	Country
Aimé LUMAKA	Centre for Human Genetics and Department of Paediatrics. University of Kinshasa,	Democratic Republic of Congo
Alex K. Shalek	Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute, MIT. Massachusetts, USA	USA
Barakat Abdelhamid,	Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca	Morocco
Benabdellah Karim	Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research.Genomic Medicine Department	Spain
Ahmed Belmoudden,	Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco	Morocco
Charles Wray	The JAX cancer center, National Cancer Institute	USA
David Comas	Human Genome Diversity Group. Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona	SPAIN
El Mzibri Mohammed	National Center of Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques, Rabat, Morocco.	Morocco
Elizabeth Marincola	The African Academy of Sciences (AAS), Nairobi	Kenya
Emiliano Giardina	Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata	Italy
Errihani Hassan	National institut of oncology Rabat, Mohammed V university Rabat	Italie
Fatima Mamouch	National Institute of Oncology, Morocco	Morocco
Ghada kamah	National Research Centre, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute,	Egypt
Gonçalo Carvalho	Thermo Fisher Sientific/Genotyping TSS Iberia & Africa	Portugal
Hamid Barakat	Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Morocco	Morocco
Hassan Ashktorab	Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology division, and Cancer Center Director of NGS/Microarray, Howard University	USA
Khalid Sadki	Fundamental Sciences Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat	Morocco
Leon mutesa	Center for Human Genetics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali,	Rwanda.
Michel Ramsay	Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg	South Africa
Musa Mhlanga	Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen	The Netherlands
Nara Lygia De Macena Sobreira	McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine	USA
Neil Hanchard	National Human Genome Research Institute. Center for Precision Health Research. Head, Childhood Complex Disease Genomics Section	USA
Nchangwi Syntia Munung	Division of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town	South Africa
Amadou Gaye	Genomics of Metabolic, National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute.	USA
Rachid abilkassem	Clinical Pediatric service, Hôpital d’instruction Militaire Mohammed V de Rabat	Morocco
Rachid El fatimy	Institute of Biological Sciences. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.	Morocco
Raouf Benabdelali	Pôle Hématologie & Oncologie, CERBA, Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône	France
Ryad Tamouza	Département Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie. Hôpital Albert Chenevier, NSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie Translationnelle.	France
Sabine Trombert	CERBA EUROPEAN LAB	France
Said AOUFOUCHI	Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris	France
Sayeh Ezzikouri	Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Morocco	Morocco
Scott Williams	Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland	USA
Segun Fatumo	London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom & MRC/UVRI & LSHTM, Uganda Medical Informatics Centre,	Uganda/UK
SOULAMA Issiaka	Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP), Ouagadougou,	Burkina Fasso
Tala Shahin	New York University Abu Dhabi	UAE.
Xavier David	Senior Manager – Genotyping Sales at Illumina	France
Yosr Hamdi	Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics. Institut Pasteur de Tunis.	Tunisia
Youssef Idaghdour	Program in Biology, Division of Science and Mathematics. New York University Abu Dhabi	UAE

Goals:

The scientific event organized jointly by AfSHG and SM2GH aims to:

• Bring together scientists, clinicians (oncologists, therapists, internists …), pharmacists and experts in the fields of genomics and human genetics to exchange their views and experiences and share results of their research concerning the application of the genomics medicine in Africa.
• Strengthen the collaboration links between the various African and non-African actors (scientists, doctors and pharmacists) working in the fields of genomics and human genetics.
• Facilitate fruitful exchanges between national and international specialists and their African counterparts in the field of human genetics.
• To provide an opportunity for oncologists and therapists to discuss the latest advances in cancer treatment with their counterparts abroad, using mainly immunotherapeutic approaches and targeted therapy.
• Provide an opportunity for our PhD students, residents and researchers juniors to discuss their research human genetics, genomics, immunogenetics, pharmacogenetic and with leading foreign researchers.

Themes

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Theme 1: Population Genetics and Bioinformatics

Theme 2: Genetics of Infectious diseases (HIV/TB/COVID-19/Malaria…)

Theme 3: Hereditary disorders

Theme 4: Cancers Genetics and Genomics

Theme 5: ` Single cell Genomics

Theme 6 : Translational Genetics

Sessions

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• Population Genetics and Bioinformatics
• Genetics of Infectious diseases (HIV/TB/COVID-19/Malaria…),
• Host-pathogen interactions 
• Genetics of rare diseases 
• Genetic of Oral diseases 
• Genetics of complexe diseases
• Cancers Genetics and Genomics (Oral, lung, breast, colon…)
• Cancers Epigenetic 
• Translational Genetics 
• Immunogenetics
•  Immunotherapy
• Pharmacogenetics
• Cancer Angiogenesis
• Gene editing
• Biomarkers
• Whole Exome sequencing
• Haemato-Oncology
• Single cell Genomics
• Immunotherapy
• Target Therapy
• Clinical Trials
• Ethics Genomics

Scientific Program

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Registration Guidelines :

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● Participating members may register as per the following charges:

Registration fees (in U.S $)

• Early Bird African Professionals participants: 1200 MAD/$120
• Early Bird African Students/ Postdoctoral Research Fellows (age inf 30y): 600 MAD /$60
• Early Bird international Students/ Postdoctoral Research Fellows (age inf 30y): 1500 MAD/$150
• International Professionals participants: $250

After November 02, 2022, the registration increases by $60 per person
If you plan to apply for a registration scholarship, please do not yet register. Apply for the scholarship first. All applicants will be notified of scholarship status by September 23, 2022

● After Payment use the following link for Registration

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfazUd0…

● After completion of registration fee process, participant are required to send the scan copy of the registration fee receipt or transaction proof to contact@sm2gh.ma and larbi.baassi@gmail.com   

For any other questions concerning the payment please contact us using the following e-mail address: larbi.baassi@sm2gh.ma

Fellowship application:

CLOSED

– For more information about Fellowship application feel free to contact us at email address: contact@sm2gh.ma

– All applicants will be notified of Fellowship status by October 5, 2022

Registration Payment :  

The payment should be done by bank transfer. All fees (free of all bank charges) should be paid in Moroccan dirham (MAD) for Moroccan attendees and participantsresidents in Morocco or U.S $ forinternational participants.

See below all information needed for this operation:
Beneficiary : société marocaine de génomique et de génétique humaine
IBAN International Bank Account Number: MA64 007 810 0001053000304963 97
SWIFT CODE: BCMAMAMC

Address: faculté de médecine dentaire de Rabat, Agdal , Rabat; Morocco

For any other questions concerning the payment please contact us using the following e-mail address: larbi.baassi@sm2gh.ma

You can also do the payment by credit card using the following link

Registration fees – Payment | Afshgmeetings

Registration Fees includes:

1. Conferences and access to the junior investigator forum
2. Conference program
3. Certificate of participation
4. Lunch, coffee breaks
5. WiFi available in meeting room

Cancellation Policy

In case of any cancellation or non-attendance, the registration fees are not refundable.

What You Need to Know Before Submitting Your Abstract

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The work proposed for Poster or oral communication should be related to the human genomics and genetics topics (see themes & sessions menu):

Read carefully the following instructions to prepare your abstract before submission:

• Abstract Title: Please use a short and concise title that indicates the content of the abstract. (Please note: The title is not included in the total character count of 140). 
• Abstract Body Text: Your abstract may have up to 2200 characters, which does not include title, authors, groups, and affiliations.

• The abstract should be an MS Word file in Segoe UI font of single line space (12 pt.).
• Spaces are not counted. Do NOT include abstract title, authors or keywords in abstract text.
• Abstract text may be submitted using the following methods: Either copy/paste, direct entry keystrokes, or file upload.
• Your abstract may be written without the use of the following bolded headers (e.g., background, methods, results, conclusion). 
• Follow the abstract guidelines to ensure all required information about your study is provided in your abstract. 

• Author(s) Information: Author(s)’s name(s), institution(s), location(s), title(s). 
• Only Abstracts in English will be accepted.

● All Abstracts should be submitted on line using the following application form
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=afshgsm2gh

● Please Create an account in easychair platform before to submit your abstract.

● Each abstract will be reviewed by the scientific committee for acceptance as an Oral Presentation during the Young Investigators’ Forum or during the Main Conference as Oral or Poster communication.

● At least one author for every accepted paper is required to be registered for the meeting for that paper to appear in the proceedings and be scheduled for presentation. 

● To be considered for a Travel Fellowship, submitters must be registered members of the African Society of Human Genetics

Technical Support

If you have any questions regarding use of the abstract submission site, please contact technical support at contact@sm2gh.ma 

Important Deadlines

Abstract submission will open:	May 23, 2022
Abstract submission deadline:	September 20, 2022
Fellowship application deadline:	September 2, 2022
Abstract acceptance notification:	October 5, 2022
Fellowship notification:	October 5, 2022
Registration will open:	May 23, 2022
Early Registration deadline:	November 02, 2022
Exhibitors Registration:	December 01, 2022

PARTNERS

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SPONSORS

PLATINIUM

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Rabat, Capital of Morocco

Located on the Atlantic coast in the north-west of Morocco, at the mouth of the Bouregreg River.
An imperial city, where past and modernity blend harmoniously, founded in the 12 th century.

It is the political and administrative center of the country, where the royal palace and government
bodies are located. It is also the seat of the embassies of foreign countries.

Beautiful and proud of its heritage. Rabat is a city offering an intense cultural life with various
museums and festivals. The old town, still surrounded by ramparts, lies near the coast. Within its
fortifications are the medina (old Muslim town) and the Millah (Jewish quarter). To the north, on
a cliff above the Bou Regreg, stands the 17th-century fortress of Casbah des Oudaïa, with a
splendid 12th-century Almohad Gateway, an Andalusian Garden, and an adjoining Madrasah
(religious college) that houses a museum of Moroccan art. Southeast of the old town are a
number of outstanding historical structures, including the Tower of Hassān and the foundations
of its never-completed mosque, across from which is located the Mausoleum of Muḥammad V.

For more informations visit: https://www.britannica.com/place/Rabat,
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/morocco/articles/10-of-rabats-top-museums/ and
https://www.visitmorocco.com/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Rabat%20FR.pdf

Whether for tourism, business or residence, everyone will find in Rabat and its region a
privileged setting for discovery, shopping, and relaxation.

Transportation and Parking

Rabat has an airport very well served by many companies. Once at the airport, there are several
ways to reach the city center:

By taxi: The taxi is a means of transport widely used in Morocco, they are of two types, the “big”
white taxis, and “small” blue taxis. At the airport you will only find “big” white taxis. These will
take you to any place in the city. Is there Uber in Morocco?

By shuttle: There is a shuttle connecting Rabat airport to the city center. This is taken in front of
the exit of the airport. You will reach the city in about twenty minutes.

By bus: The bus company ALSA ensure transportation to the city center. Departures are every
hour (60 minutes) in front of terminal 1, first stop Rabat downtown train station (Rabat ville),
then terminus at Rabat Agdal TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse/ High Speed Train) station. All for
about 3.7 $ (37.1 MAD Moroccan dirhams)

Weather in December: Learn more at https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/morocco/rabat-
weather-december

Temperature
In December, the average high-temperature is essentially the same as in November – a
comfortable 18.5°C (65.3°F). The average low temperature, in Rabat, is 12.5°C (54.5°F).

Humidity
In Rabat, the average relative humidity is 70%.

Daylight
The month with the shortest days is December, with an average of 9.9 hours of daylight.

Sunshine
In December, the average sunshine is 6.7 hours.

Please check your visa requirements, and in which country you need to apply, by contacting your nearest Kingdom of Morocco Embassy or Consulate. More information on whether you need a visa for Morocco can also be found on the website

https://www.consulat.ma/fr/liste-des-pays-dont-les-ressortissants-sont-dispenses-du-visa-dentree-au-maroc

DO I NEED A VISA TO ENTER MOROCCO ?

https://www.acces-maroc.ma/#/

Our secretariat Congress could provide the VISA invitation letter for all participants who need it for his/her VISA application. You can contact us by using the following e-mail addresses contact@sm2gh.ma or abbayouns@gmail.com

In contrast, before asking for a VISA invitation letter, participants should first complete his/her registration. The conference registration confirmation will be sent to you by email once you complete the registration process.

This invitation letter does not involve any commitment by the Organizers to cover fees, accommodation, travel expenses, or other costs associated with participation in the Meeting/Congress.

Hotel	Contact
Tour Hassan Palace (5*)	Mr. Yassine Kadiri Ottmani Département CommercialT. +212 5 37 23 90 64 / F.+212 5 37 73 51 45 sales05@latourhassan.com La Tour Hassan Palace26, Avenue Chellah BP 14. Rabat – MAROC www.latourhassan.com
Flower Town (4*)	Ms Oumaima Amzal Flower Town Hotel & Spa 20, Avenue Michlifen, Agdal – Rabat +2125 37 27 57 27 /  +2126 61 18 59 27 www.flowertown-hotel.com
NJ Hôtel (4*)	Madame Khadija 63, Avenue Moulay Youssef Hassan – Rabat . MAROC Tel +212537203432 Email address: commerciale@njhotel.ma / reservation@njhotel.ma
Atlantic Agdal (3*)	Ms Salma Hajji 20 avenue Atlas – Agdal Rabat 05372-73300 / 0676899910 www.atlanticaagdal.com
Ibis Agdal (3*)	Contact HA0G2@accor.com Avenue Haj Ahmed Charkaoui, Place De La Gare Rabat Agdal 10000  RABAT – MAROC  Téléphone : +212 5371-31707 https://all.accor.com/hotel/A0G2/index.fr.shtml
Smart (3*)	Mr. Hafid Boukhrraz 35 Rue Azegza, Rabat 10000 Téléphone : 05376-88585 https://smartshotelrabat.com-hotel.com/fr/
Gardenia (3*)	Mr. Del-Lero Kamal Tel: 066140032223 Avenue Atlas 10080 Rabat Email : delkama@gardeniarabat.com https://www.gardeniarabat.com/