Lamia Tazi

IWA Team

November 3, 2026

Lamia Tazi
Chairperson/CEO, Sothema

Lamia Tazi serves as Chairperson of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Sothema, Morocco’s leading pharmaceutical company and one of the region’s most prominent players across Africa and the Middle East. After earning her degree in Pharmacy from the University of Liège in Belgium, she joined Sothema in October 1997 as Executive Assistant to the CEO. In 2000, her career took a major step forward when she was appointed General Manager and Head Pharmacist.

Over more than two decades of dedication and consistent performance, Tazi rose to the top of the organisation in 2019, becoming both CEO and Chairwoman of the Board. Under her leadership, Sothema has grown from a mid-sized laboratory into Morocco’s pharmaceutical benchmark. The company’s performance has strengthened dramatically—its turnover has increased more than sixfold—while its position among Morocco’s largest companies has advanced from 165th to 57th in the 500+ ranking.

A key part of this expansion has been Tazi’s drive to build and scale Sothema’s international presence. She helped develop the contract manufacturing business, forging partnerships with major global pharmaceutical players. At the same time, she broadened the company’s capabilities and visibility by moving into high-potential fields such as biotherapeutics, clinical studies, and vaccines—strengthening Sothema’s reputation both at home and abroad.

In addition to her role at Sothema, Tazi currently holds these roles:

General Manager of West Africa Pharma, a pharmaceutical company in Senegal, inaugurated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and His Excellency the President of Senegal Macky SALL on 18 March 2013, as part of the south-south cooperation.

Vice President of the Moroccan Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry (FMIIP).

General Secretary of the Club of Moroccan Female Directors (CFA), which seeks more representation of women on the boards of Moroccan companies.

Chairperson of the Omar TAZI Foundation, an NGO active in the fields of healthcare assistance and child protection.