Empowering Moroccan Women Entrepreneurs: Sharing Experiences and Strategies

Thursday 14 December 2023 - 10:40

Marrakech recently hosted a timely workshop, focusing on promoting the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Morocco and the wider Arab world. This event, an integral part of the Arab Entrepreneurship Summit, brought together female business owners and economic leaders to discuss strategies aimed at enhancing the economic and social empowerment of young people and women in the region.

Rajae Elharrane, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurial Revitalization and Support for the Informal Sector at the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC), presented Morocco’s initiatives for women’s economic empowerment through the government’s “Ana Moukawil” program. This comprehensive program takes a qualitative approach to accompany and support women entrepreneurs. A central component is the “Ana Moukawila” concept, providing customized assistance to women involved in entrepreneurial projects, working independently, leading informal economic units, or managing very small enterprises. The program includes support through entrepreneurial support centers and enhanced public services for new ventures and micro-enterprises. Moreover, the initiative introduces incentives and measures to stimulate entrepreneurship, with the goal of advancing women-led businesses by 2026.

Abdelaziz Rghioui, Director of the Training and Qualification Center for Handicraft Professions of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity in Marrakech, shared insights into their efforts to empower youth and women economically and socially in the Marrakech-Safi region. Notably, 75% of trainees are women, acquiring skills for employment or launching their own independent ventures.

Meanwhile, Houda Boutoulout, Technical Advisor for the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), elucidated their alignment with Moroccan government strategies to promote women’s entrepreneurship. Key focus areas include training women entrepreneurs, fostering an entrepreneurial culture, and developing institutional partnerships.

The overarching theme of the Arab Entrepreneurship Summit is “From Resilience to Prosperity,” providing entrepreneurs and policymakers with the opportunity to connect and leverage interregional opportunities. Diverse stakeholders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors are represented, offering a holistic perspective.

The workshop highlighted Morocco’s comprehensive initiatives to empower current and aspiring women business leaders. It underscored, however, that more work remains to achieve equal economic participation across the region. By sharing diverse experiences and models, Arab countries can adapt promising strategies to support women entrepreneurs as drivers of sustainable growth.