The World Bank has approved $250 million in funding to support Morocco’s ongoing overhaul of its social protection system. The investment is part of a broader initiative aimed at improving how financial assistance is distributed and at expanding access to essential benefits for the country’s most vulnerable households.
The global institution praised Morocco for the progress it has made in both economic and social sectors, but also pointed to persistent challenges, including high unemployment and the limited participation of women in the workforce. Despite recent shocks—such as severe droughts and surging inflation—the World Bank acknowledged Morocco’s efforts to pursue inclusive growth.
One of the central elements of this national reform is the direct cash assistance program, launched in December 2023. By March 2025, over 3.9 million households had already received support through this initiative. Its purpose is to deliver targeted aid to low-income families, while also improving their access to public services and economic opportunities.
The World Bank’s financial backing also includes technical assistance for Morocco’s newly established National Agency for Social Support, which oversees the implementation of these programs. The project aims to make cash transfers more efficient and to promote stronger socioeconomic inclusion, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
This initiative is designed with a results-driven, beneficiary-focused approach. It seeks to strike a balance between immediate relief and long-term resilience by streamlining public spending and encouraging labor market participation.
Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, the World Bank’s regional director for the Maghreb and Malta, emphasized the importance of strengthening social safety nets so that families can invest more confidently in education, health, and other aspects of human capital. He also stressed that improving access to employment and healthcare—especially for women and young people—is key to building a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
