Morocco is taking bold steps to strengthen its industrial fabric and reduce reliance on foreign imports. Speaking before the House of Representatives on Monday, Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour unveiled fresh figures showcasing the growing success of the government’s Import Substitution Project Bank.
To date, 1,905 industrial projects have been identified across multiple sectors, with 493 projects specifically targeting the food industry—a key pillar in the country’s industrial ambitions. These initiatives represent a total investment of MAD 126 billion, with MAD 95 billion dedicated to replacing imports and MAD 96 billion aimed at boosting exports.
According to Mezzour, the projects are expected to create more than 177,000 direct jobs. Notably, the food industry alone accounts for MAD 19 billion in investments, with the potential to generate up to 750,000 direct jobs across the country.
“The food industry has enormous potential, especially when it comes to spatial justice,” Mezzour said. “It can be deployed across all Moroccan regions and focuses mainly on the domestic market, strengthening the country’s food security.”
Currently, around 200 companies are active in the food processing sector, out of a total of approximately 13,000 industrial firms nationwide. This segment plays a crucial economic role, generating MAD 43 billion in exports and achieving a turnover of MAD 185 billion—a significant share of the MAD 800 billion total turnover generated by Morocco’s overall industrial sector.
Beyond numbers, the government sees this strategy as a key driver of inclusive development, regional equity, and economic resilience, especially in the face of global supply chain disruptions.
