Rabat – Only 15% of businesses in Morocco are led by women, a figure that has remained unchanged since 2020, according to Amal Idrissi, Executive Director of the Moroccan Observatory of Very Small, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
Speaking at a press conference in Casablanca on Monday to present the OMTPME’s 2022-2023 report, Idrissi pointed out that the study showed persistent gender inequalities, particularly in access to bank credit. The report analyzed data from 373,835 businesses in 2023 compared to 344,563 in 2022.
Idrissi revealed that only 14.6% of women-led businesses secure bank loans, and their share in total outstanding bank credit is just 11.3%.
Regionally, women-led businesses account for 17.6% in Marrakech-Safi, 16.6% in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, and 15.6% in Casablanca-Settat. However, regions like Beni Mellal-Khenifra and the Oriental lag behind, with only 10% of businesses headed by women.
Certain sectors showed higher participation of women entrepreneurs. Women lead 40% of businesses in healthcare and social work, 30% in beauty services, and 30% in education. Meanwhile, industries like transport, construction, and mining see women’s representation drop below 10%.
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The report also noted a 20% increase in new business registrations since 2017, with 96,442 companies created in 2023. Most of these are microbusinesses, which represent 99% of all new registrations. Sectors like information, communication, real estate, healthcare, and social services have seen higher growth compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Despite this growth, the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery have affected businesses unevenly. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have faced significant challenges, including a higher dissolution rate in regions such as Souss-Massa, Fes-Meknes, and Marrakech-Safi.
Meanwhile Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region has experienced notable business growth, with company registrations increasing by 74% in recent years.
Between 2017 and 2023, some industries, like specialized scientific and technical activities, saw their added value grow by over 50% annually. Commerce, manufacturing, and construction remain dominant, accounting for 72% of total business revenues.
Employment trends indicate that very small, small, and medium enterprises employ 73% of Morocco’s workforce. However, employment growth in these businesses slowed from 8.7% before the pandemic to 6% afterward.
