Over 267,000 women drive Morocco’s expanding cooperative movement
Women’s cooperatives are reshaping rural economies and creating jobs across Morocco.
MOROCCO – Women in Morocco, especially in rural areas, are taking a stronger role in the country’s social and solidarity economy.
The Office for the Development of Cooperation (ODCO) reports a 6 percent increase in women’s participation this year, signaling a growing force in community-led development.
Morocco now counts 7,891 cooperatives made up entirely of women, bringing together more than 73,000 members, nearly half from rural regions. In total, 267,953 women are active in the cooperative movement, with 61 percent living in rural areas. ODCO says this rise shows that women are becoming leaders and job creators in their communities.
Aicha Errifaai, General Director of ODCO, said “empowering rural women economically is more than a social objective, it is a cornerstone of sustainable development.” She added that “by enhancing these women’s skills and facilitating access to markets and financing, we are shaping a more inclusive cooperative model that can bring lasting change to local communities.”
ODCO’s initiatives support Morocco’s national vision of women’s economic empowerment as a pillar of sustainable growth. The cooperative model has become a tool for creating jobs and improving regional balance, especially in rural zones.
The office is helping women gain better access to training, public procurement, and technical assistance. It is also encouraging cooperatives to move beyond traditional areas such as sewing, embroidery, and livestock farming, which still make up 28 percent of activities.
New areas of growth include agri-food processing, rural tourism, renewable energy, the circular economy, and organic farming.
Between September 29 and October 17 this year, ODCO organized 13 regional meetings across Morocco. These meetings brought together 573 participants, including 489 women, many of them young and from rural training centers.
ODCO said it continues to work with partners such as the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), government ministries, universities, and local authorities to help cooperatives grow and diversify.
Regional support programs
Last year, the Souss-Massa region hosted the conclusion of the “Grow & Pitch” program, supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union (EU), Bank of Africa, and the Souss-Massa Regional Council.
The program recognized five standout cooperatives for their innovation and impact, including the Taitmatine Women’s Agricultural Cooperative, which received first prize.
Deputy CEO of Bank of Africa Brahim Benjelloun Touimi said “we are therefore particularly proud to celebrate the first cohort of the ‘Grow & Pitch’ program in the Souss-Massa region, alongside our esteemed partner, the European Investment Bank, and with the support of the European Union.”
Head of the EIB Representation in Morocco Adrien de Bassompierre said the program “highlights the dynamism of the cooperatives in the Souss-Massa region, key players in territorial development, value creation and inclusion.”
EU Ambassador to Morocco Patricia Llombart Cussac also praised the success of the program, noting that it shows the EU’s continued support for local initiatives and women-led growth.
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