Casablanca – As part of Morocco’s 2023 Finance Bill, the government allocated a budget of MAD 300 million ($27.5 million) to the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform to accelerate the integration of the Amazigh language in public administrations.
Through this initiative, the government intends to provide public administrations with agents responsible for reception and orientation in Amazigh, as well as to incorporate the language on the official websites of administrations, public institutions, and local authorities.
The budget allocated for this purpose will be gradually increased over the next few years until it reaches MAD 1 billion by 2025, said Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch in his note about the 2023 Finance Bill.
“In accordance with constitutional requirements, the activation of the official character of the Amazigh language in all aspects of public life is a priority for government action,” the note said.
“This implies for the government concentrating efforts with various stakeholders, and mobilizing the human, logistical and financial resources necessary for the implementation of the provisions of the organizational law on the Amazigh language,” it added.
Read also: Morocco Allocates MAD 200 Million to Officialize Amazigh Language
In addition to administration and public services, the government is also planning to implement the Amazigh language in education, health, and justice, as well as cultural and media activities.
With these new measures, Morocco is reaffirming its commitment to Law 26-16, which calls for the integration of the Amazigh language into administration, education, and other sectors of public life.
In January this year, the government granted a budget of MAD 200 million ($18.4 million) for the officialization of the Amazigh language.
In April 2021, the government also approved an “integrated government plan for the implementation of the official character of the Tamazight language.”
In January 2021, Morocco’s Ministry of National Education released a curriculum draft for teaching the Amazigh language in primary schools.
