Morocco's New Drive to Engage Diaspora in Housing Initiatives
Diaspora members spent MAD 1.6 billion (approximately $160.7 million) through the direct housing program in the first seven months of 2024.
In a strategic move to harness the potential of its diaspora, Morocco has launched a comprehensive national campaign aimed at encouraging Moroccans residing abroad to take advantage of a direct housing aid program and a range of housing services. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, aims to bridge the gap between Moroccans living abroad and the opportunities available in their homeland.
Urban Planning and Housing at the Forefront
The campaign, themed “Urban Planning and Housing at the Service of Moroccans Around the World,” seeks to inform the diaspora about the latest urban planning and housing projects. This includes the national direct housing aid program and exclusive offers from infrastructure entities such as the Al Omran Group.
Minister of Urban Planning Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri emphasized the ministry's commitment to this initiative, stating, “During this national campaign, we are mobilized through all the components of the ministry to listen to the MREs [Moroccans residing abroad] and offer them personalized support and technical and administrative assistance to accelerate the processing of their files in the best conditions and time frames.”
Connecting the Diaspora with Opportunities
The campaign also seeks to introduce the diaspora to various services offered by the direct housing aid program and the investment opportunities available in Morocco. The overarching goal is to reinforce the connection between Moroccan diaspora members and their homeland.
As part of the campaign, a mobile caravan will visit 23 cities, with reception areas established at border points. Additionally, open house events will be organized at Urban Agencies and Al Omrane companies to address any questions from diaspora members.
Significant Engagement from the Diaspora
Moroccans residing abroad constitute 21% of the applications recorded via the digital platform of the direct housing aid program and 23% of the beneficiaries as of July 23. The Direct Housing Aid Program aims to make housing more accessible for Moroccans both domestically and internationally by providing direct subsidies to first-time homeowners. This initiative also seeks to reduce the housing deficit, stimulate economic growth in the housing sector, and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in state-subsidized projects.
Remarkable Financial Impact
Recent data from the territorial planning ministry highlights the program's impact, with 16,300 individuals benefiting from the direct housing aid program. The total value of acquired housing stands at MAD 6.3 billion (approximately $633 million). Specifically, diaspora members have purchased homes valued at MAD 1.6 billion (approximately $160.7 million) through the direct housing program in the initial seven months of 2024.
This campaign represents a significant effort by Morocco to engage its diaspora in the nation's development, ensuring that Moroccans abroad remain connected and invested in their homeland’s future.