The World Bank Group has launched a new 10-year partnership with Morocco to help create more jobs, support private businesses and strengthen the country’s economy. The new Country Partnership Framework is based on Morocco’s New Development Model. It aims to help the private sector play a bigger role in the economy while creating better quality jobs, especially for young people and women.
The plan focuses on three main areas.
The first is helping businesses grow by cutting red tape, improving competition and making it easier for small and medium-sized companies to get financing.
The second is making cities and regions better connected by reducing regional gaps and improving access to markets and public services.
The third is improving education, expanding universal health coverage and strengthening the country’s social protection system.
The World Bank Group said it will support the programme through loans, technical expertise and private investment. Progress will be measured using indicators such as the number of jobs created, private investment attracted, access to healthcare and education, and better protection for vulnerable people from climate-related risks.
The World Bank has been one of Morocco’s main development partners for decades. It has supported projects in transport, water, education, healthcare, social protection and climate resilience.
The institution estimates the economy grew by 3.8% in 2024 despite another year of drought. Growth was driven by manufacturing, tourism and public investment. It expects growth of about 3.6% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026, although unemployment, water shortages and global uncertainty remain major challenges.
Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah said the new agreement marks “a decisive milestone” for the country.
“It aligns public and private financing, knowledge and reforms around a shared vision, with job creation at the heart of this ambition,” she said.
Ousmane Dione, the World Bank’s Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, said the agreement shows the institution’s long-term commitment.
“This ten-year partnership demonstrates our commitment to supporting Morocco’s sustainable structural transformation,” he said.
IFC Vice President for Africa Ethiopis Tafara said the partnership would help attract more private investment and give businesses greater support to create jobs.
“This partnership will strengthen the mobilisation of private capital and support for businesses to promote job creation,” he said.
Ed Mountfield, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), said the agency would use its guarantees to lower investment risks and encourage more private investment.
“We will mobilise our guarantees to reduce investment risks in Morocco and encourage private investment,” he said.
