Morocco has announced the launch of “Tahfiz-Niswa,” a new national program aimed at the economic empowerment of women through entrepreneurship in the social and solidarity economy. The initiative, unveiled in Salé, is led by the State Secretariat for Traditional Industry and the Social and Solidarity Economy and represents a significant move to foster inclusive growth and local development.
A Strategic Push for Inclusive Growth
The Tahfiz-Niswa program is designed to support the creation of structured and sustainable women-led cooperative enterprises that cater to local community needs. Lahcen Saadi, the Secretary of State for Traditional Industry and the Social and Solidarity Economy, highlighted the sector’s role as a key driver for local development and a vital tool for integrating women into the economic fabric.
The program has set an ambitious target of creating 5,000 jobs by 2028. It also aims to enhance the managerial and administrative capabilities of over 400 women’s cooperatives. Saadi emphasized that Moroccan public policies place women at the core of their priorities, and this initiative translates that commitment into concrete action by providing continuous financial, technical, and training support.
International and Regional Collaboration
This strategic initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Moroccan government and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), along with key partnerships with the regional councils of Oriental, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Casablanca-Settat, and Souss-Massa.
Enrique Ojeda Vila, the Spanish Ambassador to Morocco, noted that the social economy’s success is measured not just by financial returns but by its ability to achieve social inclusion, promote justice, and protect the environment. He reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to developing inclusive financing mechanisms tailored to the needs of local social entrepreneurs and called for strengthened bilateral cooperation to build a development model that leaves no one behind.
Formalizing Support Through Key Partnerships
To anchor the program within the national ecosystem, four key agreements were signed during the launch event. These multi-party partnerships are designed to provide a comprehensive framework for mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs in the social and solidarity economy. The agreements were signed with:
- The Mohammed VI Center for the Support of Solidarity Microfinance to provide broad support to sector players.
- The Regional Center for Research in Social and Solidarity Economy to strengthen the sector’s regional ties in Casablanca-Settat.
- The Union of Women’s Action – Tangier to bolster the ecosystem in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
- The Moroccan Network of Social and Solidarity Economy to enhance regional integration in the Oriental region.
About Tahfiz-Niswa
Tahfiz-Niswa is a Moroccan national program dedicated to fostering female entrepreneurship within the social and solidarity economy. Over a three-year period, the program will provide participating cooperatives with comprehensive support tailored to their specific needs, including capacity building, contributions to project financing, and assistance in promoting their products and services. The ultimate goal is to establish sustainable, structured women-led enterprises that contribute to local economic and social development.
Source: MAP Express
