Morocco invests $100 million to tackle rural unemployment

The Minister of Economic Inclusion emphasized that short-term training is crucial for equipping rural job seekers with practical skills.

Morocco’s government is preparing to launch a new initiative aimed at addressing unemployment in rural areas, with an allocation of MAD 1 billion ($100 million) to support job seekers outside major cities.

Minister of Economic Inclusion Younes Sekkouri announced the program to Parliament, highlighting that the government has been developing this plan over the past five months.

The initiative, set to commence in the coming days, aims to provide direct assistance to individuals struggling to find employment in remote regions.

The 2025 Finance Bill has allocated MAD 14 billion ($1.4 billion) for employment initiatives, reflecting the government’s broader commitment to reducing unemployment.

Sekkouri acknowledged that ANAPEC, Morocco’s national employment agency, lacks the capacity to accommodate all job seekers, necessitating alternative solutions.

With only 600 staff members and 70 offices, the agency’s presence is limited outside urban areas. The minister stressed the importance of supporting those without formal qualifications, noting that among the country’s 1.6 million job seekers, approximately 910,000 lack diplomas.

He also highlighted the role of small and medium-sized businesses, which employ around 75% of Morocco’s workforce. While past policies did not fully recognize their contribution, the government now views them as essential for job creation.

A significant portion of the MAD 12 billion ($1.2 billion) investment budget will be directed towards these businesses. An additional MAD 1 billion ($100 million) will support rural development, particularly for livestock farmers who have sold their herds and left their villages.

The government aims to reverse this trend by creating better economic opportunities in rural areas.

Despite these efforts, unemployment remains a significant issue, particularly in rural areas where opportunities are scarce.

The planned reforms and funding may offer some relief, but they do not fully address the scale of the crisis. Millions, especially those without diplomas, continue to struggle to find stable work, leaving many in dire need of stronger and more lasting solutions.