“We want to make LafargeHolcim Maroc a beacon for the sustainable construction industry in the Kingdom”
Khalid Samaka started out in the field, at the heart of the LafargeHolcim group’s Moroccan and French plants. There he took part in large-scale projects: industrial modernisation, energy efficiency gains, strengthening of local skills… At the head of several production sites, including the Safi plaster plant and the Meknes cement plant, he developed operational expertise, while cultivating a deeply human approach.
This dual sensitivity was confirmed when he took charge of Human Resources at LafargeHolcim Maroc. “It is the women and men of the company who make it successful”, he insists. A strong conviction, which he places at the centre of his management. Leadership development, a climate of collaboration, a spirit of initiative… all levers that he pulls to engage the teams and support the company’s transformation.
International experience as a strategic springboard
In 2013, Khalid Samaka broadened his experience at LafargeHolcim internationally. A journey that took him first to Malaysia, then to Greece, Russia and finally Azerbaijan, where he ran the local subsidiary as CEO. These multicultural experiences nurtured his adaptability and strengthened his conviction that human proximity and trust are the pillars of successful management.
“You have to understand people, respect differences, and build strong relationships, with teams as well as with customers or local communities”, he says. A vision in harmony with the current challenges of the cement industry.
An ambitious roadmap for sustainability
Back home, Khalid Samaka took the helm of LafargeHolcim Maroc in January 2025 with a clear course: to make the company a model of transition towards sustainable construction solutions. In a context of climate change and water stress, he is driving an ambitious five-year decarbonisation roadmap, combining operational excellence, innovation, structuring investments and the development of low-carbon products. “We want to make LafargeHolcim Maroc a beacon for the sustainable construction industry in the Kingdom”, he states with determination. To achieve this, he is relying on collective intelligence, the mobilisation of talent and active listening to the field.
Balance as a driving force
To fuel this momentum, Khalid Samaka draws his energy from contact with teams and customers. Exchanges in the field, and the ideas and suggestions gleaned from meetings, inspire him every day. Outside his duties, he favours time spent with family, running and reading. “The balance between professional and personal life is essential”, he concludes.
If you were…
– A colour, which one would you be and why? Blue, a symbol of calm and serenity
– A country, which one would you be? Morocco, hospitable and warm
– A human value? Trust, which allows us to live in peace and build lasting bonds
– An inspiring figure…? Ibn Battuta: for his edifying journey with the limited means of the time, and the passing on of his experience across generations
– An animal…? The camel: a symbol of patience and resilience
– A connected object? The radio, to discover news and music from all over the world
– A superpower? Healing, health being the most precious thing there is
– A book…? Homer’s Odyssey, which combines travel, adventure and human values.