Casablanca is preparing to host the fourth edition of the WeXchange Forum on October 21, a growing event that has quietly become a key meeting point for those driving social and economic transformation in Morocco. Spearheaded by the Abdelkader Bensalah Foundation, the forum serves as a dynamic platform for discussion and action, focusing this year on a lesser-known but increasingly vital part of the country’s economic landscape: the third sector.
Often overshadowed by the public and private spheres, the third sector—encompassing non-profits, cooperatives, and organizations rooted in social and solidarity-based economies—has been steadily gaining ground. According to Tarik Maâroufi, Director General of the Foundation, Morocco is at a pivotal moment where questions of inclusion, sustainability, and economic justice are more urgent than ever. He argues that the third sector should be recognized not as an alternative to government or business, but as a crucial complement—one built on the values of solidarity, civic participation, and democratic engagement.
The country’s New Development Model reflects this vision, setting ambitious goals for the sector: multiplying its contribution to GDP by four and creating up to 50,000 jobs annually. Yet, the reality on the ground remains fragile. Government data shows that while Morocco has around 187,000 active non-profits, only about 2,500 have registered employees. Cooperatives number close to 60,000, with approximately 8,000 led by women—who account for a third of all cooperative members. Despite this density, the social and solidarity economy still accounts for just 2% of national GDP, according to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council.
This year’s forum promises a packed agenda, blending roundtable discussions, masterclasses, and open forums. Topics will range from local employment and regional development to the third sector’s role in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. There will also be a strong focus on innovation and organizational performance. International speakers will bring insights from abroad, offering comparisons that can help sharpen Morocco’s approach.
An exhibition space will showcase Moroccan initiatives in social innovation, providing attendees with a hands-on look at projects making a difference on the ground. The event will close with the Moroccan Social Innovation Awards, celebrating the country’s most impactful community-driven ventures.
Since its launch in 2022, the WeXchange Forum has established itself as a must-attend event for those shaping a more equitable future for Morocco. Organized by the Abdelkader Bensalah Foundation—recognized as a public-interest organization since 2016—it continues the legacy of the late Abdelkader Bensalah, whose vision for inclusive development remains at the heart of the Foundation’s mission.
