Moroccan pharma leader Lamia Tazi's stake in Sothema drops $4.5 million

Feyisayo Ajayi -

Key Point

  • Moroccan pharmaceutical tycoon Lamia Tazi’s stake in Sothema has declined by MAD44.22 million ($4.50 million) over the past 27 days. 
  • Sothema’s shares have dropped over 7% in 27 days, reducing its market capitalization to below $700 million. 
  • Sothema’s year-to-date performance is now negative. A $100,000 investment on January 1 is now worth $95,500.

Lamia Tazi, a top figure in Morocco’s pharmaceutical industry, has seen the market value of her stake in Marocaine Ste de Therapeutique (Sothema) decline significantly. Shares in the Casablanca-based firm have fallen sharply in recent trading sessions.

According to data tracked by Billionaires.Africa, Lamia Tazi’s stake in Sothema has decreased by MAD44.22 million ($4.5 million) over the past 27 days. This follows a $3.03 million gain between May 1 and May 30, when the market value of her stake surged from MAD 593.05 million ($59.57 million) to MAD 623.18 million ($62.6 million).

Moroccan businesswoman Tazi takes a hit as Sothema stock price falls

Sothema, Morocco’s leading healthcare company, manufactures roughly 60 million pharmaceutical units annually. The company boasts a diversified portfolio, partnering with 35 multinational laboratories. It exports products across Europe, the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Persian Gulf, highlighting its role in the regional healthcare supply chain.

In recent times, its share price has declined by more than 7.2 percent, falling from MAD1,030 ($104.84) on June 19 to MAD955 ($97.20) at the time of drafting this report. This decline has pushed the company’s market capitalization below $700 million.

Lamia Tazi, who ranks among the country’s leading business figures, holds an 8.19% stake in Sothema, equivalent to 589,658 issued shares. The share price decline has resulted in the market value of her stake decreasing from MAD607.35 million ($61.78 million) on June 19 to MAD563.12 million ($57.28 million), a loss of MAD44.22 million ($4.50 million).

Your Money and Your Life

The recent decline on the Casablanca Bourse has erased previous gains, with Sothema’s year-to-date performance now negative. Its year-to-date loss stands at 4.5 percent as of this report.

Investors seeking to build should exercise caution and conduct due diligence before considering Sothema shares. A $100,000 investment made at the beginning of the year would now be worth approximately $95,500.