In a powerful show of its long-standing development partnership with Morocco, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €100 million ($116.4 million) loan to boost sustainable agriculture in the North African nation. The investment will not only strengthen food security but also empower women and youth as key players in transforming the country’s agricultural landscape.
This new financing initiative — the Program for Supporting Inclusive Solidarity Agriculture for Women and Youth (PAASIFEJ) — is part of a broader shift toward building a modern, resilient, and inclusive agricultural sector in Morocco. It also reaffirms Morocco’s status as one of Africa’s most proactive nations in climate-resilient development.
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A Strategic Investment in Inclusive, Climate-Smart Agriculture
Morocco’s agricultural sector plays a central role in the national economy, contributing about 12% of GDP and employing nearly 30% of the workforce, according to the World Bank. However, the sector faces deep structural challenges. With over 70% of farmers being smallholders, limited access to irrigation, technology, and financing leaves them highly vulnerable to climate shocks.
In 2022, Morocco experienced its worst drought in four decades, slashing cereal production by two-thirds — from 10.3 million tonnes in 2021 to just 3.4 million tonnes. Such episodes expose the fragile nature of rain-dependent agriculture in Morocco.
This new AfDB program is timely. It addresses urgent vulnerabilities by equipping Morocco’s rural sector with tools to withstand climate disruptions while fostering inclusive economic growth through rural entrepreneurship.
Empowering Women and Youth: The Heart of the Program
What sets the PAASIFEJ initiative apart is its deliberate focus on women and young people. It’s not just about climate adaptation — it’s about equity, participation, and leadership.
“Women who have the ambition to start businesses and succeed in agriculture are our priority,” said Achraf Tarsim, AfDB’s country manager for Morocco.
The program will provide:
• Tailored financing and incentives to rural women and youth-led agricultural ventures.
• Capacity-building support, enhancing business and technical skills.
• Infrastructure development, including production and service centers linked to local agricultural value chains.
This integrated approach ensures that women and young entrepreneurs aren’t just included, but are positioned to lead within the evolving agri-food ecosystem.
The initiative also aligns with Morocco’s “Generation Green 2020–2030” strategy — a national vision for modernising agriculture through sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.
A Pillar of a 50-Year Development Partnership
This loan is the latest chapter in a deep and enduring relationship between Morocco and the African Development Bank. Since the 1970s, the AfDB has invested over €15 billion in Morocco across more than 180 projects in critical sectors such as:
• Transport and logistics
• Water and sanitation
• Renewable energy and power infrastructure
• Education and social protection
• Governance and institutional reform
• Agriculture and rural development
In 2023 alone, the Bank approved €254 million in new commitments to Morocco, underscoring its confidence in the country’s development roadmap.
Through each phase of Morocco’s modernisation — from industrial development to green transition — the AfDB has been a consistent partner, helping the nation achieve regional leadership in innovation and infrastructure.
Looking Ahead: Building Resilience, Unleashing Potential
This €100 million agriculture loan is not a standalone act of development financing. It is a strategic enabler of resilience, inclusion, and transformation.
By supporting female-led enterprises, connecting youth to value-added agri-markets, and scaling climate-smart infrastructure, Morocco is not only tackling its immediate agricultural vulnerabilities — it is seeding the future of African rural innovation.
As global climate uncertainties grow and food systems face mounting pressure, Morocco’s ability to turn development finance into grassroots empowerment makes it a standout case on the continent.
The country’s example illustrates how well-aligned policy, multilateral partnership, and social equity can converge to shape a sustainable, inclusive agricultural revolution — one where rural resilience meets national ambition.
Conclusion
Morocco is proving that agricultural development in Africa need not be stuck in cycles of vulnerability. With AfDB’s €100 million boost, the country is placing women and youth at the heart of a greener, fairer food system. In doing so, it offers a model for inclusive growth and smart adaptation — a roadmap other nations may well follow in their quest for resilient rural futures.
