AfDB approves US$117M to boost Moroccan agriculture for women and youth
The funding will support entrepreneurship, food security, and climate resilience in rural Morocco.
MOROCCO – The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved €100 million (US$117 million) to support a new agriculture program in Morocco, focusing on women and young entrepreneurs.
The initiative aims to increase rural employment, food production, and climate preparedness by building a more inclusive agricultural sector.
The new program, called the Program for Supporting Inclusive Solidarity Agriculture for Women and Youth (PAASIFEJ), is designed to create real opportunities for rural women and youth.
It will focus on supporting small-scale farmers and helping them grow businesses across agricultural, processing, and digital sectors.
The AfDB and Morocco have worked together for more than fifty years, and this funding marks another step in that long-standing partnership.
Building skills and businesses in rural areas
PAASIFEJ will support Morocco’s “Generation Green” strategy, which runs from 2020 to 2030 and aims to modernize agriculture while promoting jobs and income in rural areas.
It also links with two national programs: the National Solidarity Agriculture Program and the National Youth Entrepreneurship Program. Together, they form part of a wider effort to reshape Morocco’s development model by placing more focus on rural entrepreneurship.
The initiative will provide training, technical support, and financial tools to help participants grow their ideas into working businesses. In addition, it will invest in infrastructure to improve production and services in rural areas.
These include facilities that help women take part in local value chains, build their skills, and increase productivity.
“Women who have the ambition to start businesses and succeed in agriculture are our priority,” said Achraf Tarsim, AfDB’s country manager for Morocco.
“Through this new operation, we will accompany them step by step to build modern, inclusive, and resilient agriculture, capable of revealing the full potential of those who aspire to innovate and create value and employment in their territories.”
Part of a bigger picture
This latest move adds to the AfDB’s ongoing support for Morocco. So far, the bank has invested nearly €15 billion (US$17.45 billion) in the country across more than 150 projects. These cover a wide range of areas including water, energy, transport, finance, governance, and agriculture.
The new program is not only about funding. It brings together systems to support people who often face limited access to capital or networks.
By linking national strategies with on-the-ground action, the program hopes to improve both incomes and food systems, especially in areas that face growing climate challenges.
AfDB’s approval of this project shows a continued focus on making agriculture more inclusive and productive, while also backing Morocco’s broader goals for rural development and employment.
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