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Morocco’s forsa program under scrutiny for implementation challenges
Morocco’s ambitious Forsa entrepreneurship program, launched in 2022 with a budget exceeding MAD 1.25 billion ($138.28 million), has come under fire for significant implementation issues, raising doubts about its effectiveness in supporting young entrepreneurs.
Intended to provide interest-free loans to foster business creation, the program has faced criticism from beneficiaries and oversight bodies alike. Morocco’s Ombudsman, Hassan Tarik, revealed that his office received over 500 complaints, citing complex procedures, unexplained exclusions, and inadequate financial support for many classified as beneficiaries.
Complaints and structural concerns
Reports from the Moroccan Association for Young Entrepreneurs’ Rights, led by Radwan Ashuhham, highlight deeper structural issues within the program. The association claims that the loan-based model creates hurdles for many participants, especially in agriculture and small-scale industrial ventures. Climate-related challenges, including extreme temperatures and frost, have further exacerbated difficulties for agricultural projects, while insufficient funding coverage has limited the growth of industrial and commercial initiatives.
Lawmakers in Morocco’s Parliament have expressed frustration over administrative delays and inefficiencies, prompting the formation of a fact-finding mission to investigate the program’s shortcomings.
Government defense and reported successes
Despite the criticism, government officials argue that the program has achieved tangible results. Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor reported that Forsa has funded approximately 21,000 projects, creating nearly 37,000 jobs, with women holding 44% of these positions. Between its launch and 2024, the program received over 300,000 applications, funding 10,000 projects in its first phase and 11,200 in the second.
These numbers reflect strong demand for entrepreneurship support but also underscore the challenges of managing large-scale initiatives.
Proposals for reform
In light of mounting concerns, the entrepreneurs’ association has proposed several reforms, including better integration of Forsa projects into existing support networks for cooperatives and companies, loan rescheduling tailored to individual projects, and exemptions for bankrupt ventures. The association has also called for enhanced support systems to guide entrepreneurs through the challenges of launching and sustaining their businesses.
Originally, Forsa aimed to provide interest-free loans of up to MAD 100,000 ($11,062) with 10-year repayment terms and no collateral requirements, positioning itself as a solution to the financing barriers faced by young entrepreneurs and small enterprises. However, the implementation challenges have left many questioning whether the program can fulfill its original promise.
As Parliament continues its investigation and reform proposals are debated, the future of Forsa hangs in the balance, reflecting the broader complexities of implementing large-scale entrepreneurship initiatives in Morocco.
