Rabat — Morocco’s Minister of Economic Inclusion, Younes Sekkouri, has unveiled a comprehensive new employment strategy that marks a significant shift from previous policies.
New employment roadmap targets both supply and demand
Sekkouri announced the plan during the oral question session on employment policy in the House of Representatives. He explained that while previous approaches primarily focused on job seeker training, the new roadmap addresses both sides of the labor equation.
The government’s new vision expands beyond preparing job seekers to include creating more employment opportunities across productive sectors.
Inter-ministerial oversight strengthens accountability
To ensure effective implementation of the new employment strategy, the government has established an inter-ministerial committee dedicated to monitoring job creation across all sectors. This new oversight mechanism introduces unprecedented accountability.
Sekkouri noted that every sector now faces specific employment targets and will be held responsible for job losses within their domain, pointing to the government’s commitment to measurable results.
Major financial support packages for businesses
Also, the minister spoke of the financial support that the government is allocating to the implementation of this new employment strategy.
MAD 15 billion for SME investment
To support small and medium businesses (SME), the government has allocated a budget of MAD 15 billion ($1.62 million). A special decree indicates, according to Sekkouri, that this funding targets investments between MAD 1 and 50 million (between $108,375 and 5.41 million).
For these SME to receive the financial support, the government has set a critical condition they should meet, which is being able to create quality jobs within the Moroccan economy.
Expanded support for micro-entrepreneurs
Over 110,000 very small businesses and auto-entrepreneurs will benefit from a tailored support program. Unlike previous initiatives that focused solely on major capital expenditures, this program covers operational costs, including equipment rental, employee wages, and essential equipment purchases
Enhancing job seeker integration programs
Professional apprenticeship expansion
The government aims to quadruple the number of professional apprenticeships, increasing beneficiaries from 24,000 to 100,000. The minister announced that this initiative comes with MAD 500 million in financial backing.
ANAPEC reform to target vulnerable groups
Morocco’s Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills is undergoing a comprehensive reform to better serve job seekers who do not hold academic qualifications.
Sekkouri recalled the findings of the Higher Commission for Planning’s (HCP) recent report, which identified 910,000 unemployed individuals without certifications, adding that the government has developed specialized programs for this vulnerable group.
Morocco’s recent employment data
According to a recent report from HCP, Morocco’s unemployment rate has seen a slight decrease in the first quarter of 2025, moving from 13.7% to 13.3%.
The Moroccan economy created 282,000 jobs during this period, making a significant turnaround from losing 80,000 positions last year.
Data in the HCP’s report signals that the North African country is moving with its economic recovery and job market resilience.
