Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – The Phosboucraa Foundation’s 2023 annual report outlines a year of accomplishments in advancing sustainable socio-economic development across Morocco’s Southern regions.
Founded in 2014, the Phosboucraa Foundation has emerged as a significant force in corporate social responsibility, prioritizing industrial development alongside community welfare.
With a stated commitment to its four main pillars — innovative entrepreneurship, educational excellence, applied research, and institutional support — the foundation asserts they actively work to create enduring positive impacts within local communities through its various initiatives.
To date, over 200,000 beneficiaries across Morocco’s southern regions have benefited from the foundation’s initiatives.
In his address marking the 48th anniversary of the Green March on November 6, 2023, King Mohammed VI pointed out Morocco’s commitment to development, particularly in the southern provinces, stating, “We are determined to pursue the paths of development, modernization, and construction to ensure dignified living conditions for Moroccan citizens. In this regard, we ensure that our country’s potential, especially in the Moroccan Sahara, is used judiciously.”
His vision of transforming the Atlantic coasts of the Southern region into a hub of human communion and economic integration mirrors the objectives of the Phosboucraa Foundation, which has been playing a crucial role in the region’s development since its inception in 2014.
A pillar of socio-economic development
A central aspect of the foundation’s work is its focus on innovative entrepreneurship, aimed at diversifying the local economy and promoting sustainable employment by supporting the establishment and growth of new businesses.
To empower entrepreneurs, Phosboucraa offers incubation, financing, and coaching programs that provide essential skills for turning their ideas into reality and scaling their operations. The Learning Centers in Laayoune and Dakhla serve as vital hubs for cultivating entrepreneurial innovation, with a particular focus on engaging youth and women.
In 2023, the Foundation ramped up its initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship among various groups, contributing to economic growth. One notable effort was the launch of “TOUMOUH” – an audiovisual series in the Hassani dialect that aired on social media to raise awareness about innovative entrepreneurship. The series has attracted 1.5 million views, reflecting the increasing interest in entrepreneurial initiatives within Morocco’s southern provinces in the Western Sahara.
The report also noted the foundation prioritizes educational excellence to ensure that its youth are equipped with the tools they need to succeed and contribute to the local economy.
Last year, 3,941 individuals benefited from educational programs sponsored by the foundation. These include initiatives such as the “Week of Science” in Laayoune, the sponsorship of high schools, and programs encouraging students to pursue higher education.
Phosboucraa also introduced a summer program at its Learning Centers in Dakhla and Laayoune, targeting students aged 15 to 17. This program focused on fostering innovative skills, with over 200 young participants engaged in training designed to enhance their capabilities and prepare them for future careers.
To tackle environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss, the foundation has made major investments in applied research targeting these issues.
Collaborating with local and international academic institutions, Phosboucraa is engaged in projects aimed at developing sustainable agricultural practices and creating new income sources for local communities.
A notable initiative in this area is the “InFarmer” program, launched in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), which equips young people with digital agricultural skills and integrates advanced technology into African agriculture.
Meanwhile, the foundation supports research on biosaline agriculture, endemic plants, fodder crops, and algae as alternative income sources, boosting climate resilience in the region.
Supporting local institutions is a crucial aspect of the foundation’s mission. In 2023, Phosboucraa partnered with various governmental and non-governmental organizations to promote social and urban development projects.
Among its key contributions was the construction of the Mohammed VI National Center for the Disabled in Guelmim, which provides medical, rehabilitation, and recreational services for individuals with disabilities.
The foundation also played a vital role in the inauguration of the Lalla Amina Center in Boujdour, creating a safe and nurturing environment for 80 vulnerable children to improve their social protection and integration.
Additionally, following the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023, Phosboucraa mobilized with local partners, including US Amideast and the Al Jil Al Jadid cooperative, to provide emergency humanitarian aid. This included the production of 300 tents and six community shelters for those who lost their homes.
Driving change, empowering communities
The year 2023 marked a trailblazing period of impactful achievements for the Phosboucraa Foundation, demonstrating its steadfast dedication to fostering positive change within local communities. The foundation launched and expanded several initiatives, solidifying its role as a leader in sustainable development.
Among these efforts, the “Women Entrepreneurship” program emerged as a revolutionary project, focusing on the socio-economic integration of women. In this year alone, 192 women participated in 80 hours of training aimed at enhancing their personal and professional skills. This initiative is particularly vital, as women currently make up only 19.8% of Morocco’s active workforce.
By empowering women aged 25 to 45 — many of whom face barriers due to a lack of formal education or job opportunities — Phosboucraa is actively working to narrow this gap.
The foundation spotlighted in its annual report that “by equipping these women with the skills and confidence to thrive in entrepreneurship, we are contributing to a more inclusive economy.”
In addition to its other initiatives, the report outlines how Phosboucraa has actively promoted digital and green entrepreneurship. In 2023, the foundation launched projects under its “Green Digital Entrepreneurship” initiative, focusing on emerging technologies. By encouraging innovation in these areas, Phosboucraa is helping the southern regions stay at the forefront of technological progress.
The foundation also supported a project aimed at promoting alternative crops that can withstand extreme environmental conditions like salinity and drought. This initiative was implemented across five provinces, featuring six platforms and testing 14 cultural spaces.
As a result, crop yields increased by 94%, and 70 farmers received training in sustainable farming practices. The program also included the promotion of fodder mixes for sustainable livestock feeding and the creation of an Atlas of native plants to preserve the rich biodiversity in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab.
Currently, the foundation is exploring the potential of indigenous plants for pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses, alongside valorizing algae, such as red algae, to produce biofertilizers and biogas.
Maximizing impact: Phosboucraa’s strategic partnerships, digitization
The foundation has made notable progress in enhancing the efficiency and impact of its projects through data management and strategic partnerships. In alignment with the OCP Group’s digitization policy, Phosboucraa launched a series of data and knowledge management projects in 2023.
These initiatives strive to digitize the processes for collecting, visualizing, and analyzing data, thereby improving the monitoring and evaluation of the foundation’s programs.
Recognizing the crucial role of partnerships in achieving its objectives, the foundation organized a “Partnership Day” in 2023.
This event provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange best practices and co-create projects. By promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing, Phosboucraa states that it aims to maximize its positive impact on local communities.
As it reviews its achievements in 2023, the Phosboucraa Foundation says it remains committed to fostering sustainable socio-economic development in Morocco’s southern provinces in the Western Sahara.
With a focus on entrepreneurship, education, applied research, and institutional support, the foundation is well-equipped to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of local communities while contributing to broader development efforts.
