AFEM Celebrates 25 Years of Supporting Women Entrepreneurs in Morocco

Casablanca – The Association of Women Business Leaders of Morocco (AFEM) marked its 25th anniversary last Friday evening in Casablanca during a ceremony that brought together senior government officials, business leaders, civil society figures, and international partners.

The event, held under the theme “Leadership and Women’s Entrepreneurship: For an Inclusive Morocco,” highlighted the role of women in Morocco’s economic development and the association’s long-standing work to support them.

Among those in attendance were the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, Younes Sekkouri, and the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour.

AFEM’s national president, Leila Doukali, stood alongside founding members and active affiliates from across the country.

Several women leaders from different sectors, including Hayat Jabrane, Director General of SOS Villages d’Enfants Maroc and Goal Events, also took part in the ceremony.

In her remarks, Doukali reviewed the progress achieved since the association’s creation in 2000 and emphasized the continued need to strengthen women’s access to entrepreneurship, financing, and leadership opportunities.

She underlined the importance of sustainable training and support mechanisms to ensure women’s full participation in economic growth.

From early challenges to regional cooperation

AFEM’s founder, Saloua Karkri Belkeziz, recalled the association’s beginnings at the turn of the millennium, a time when women entrepreneurs faced limited institutional backing and restricted access to financing tools.

She retraced the successive mandates that expanded AFEM’s network and diversified its programs in training, support, and innovation.

One of the key milestones highlighted during the evening was the creation of the first incubator dedicated to young women entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa region, which has supported the emergence of more than 600 businesses.

The association also contributed to the establishment of the first public guarantee mechanism designed for women-led projects, helping improve access to bank financing. Today, AFEM operates across several regions, extending its services to a wider national base.

The ceremony featured the presentation of the AFEM Awards, recognizing figures from different generations of the association.

The Founders’ Award honored Saloua Karkri Belkeziz, Affifa Boutaleb Ouazzani, Anne Marie Guelec-Cherif Alami, Houda Layachi, Fathia Bennis, and Nadia Slaoui Ibn Mansour.

The Past Presidents’ Deployment Award was presented to Bouthayna Iraqui Houssaini, Soraya Badraoui Leuwenkroon, Laila Miyara, and Asmaa Morine Azzouzi, while the She Is the Future Award went to Mona Alami, Lamiaa Zaid, Bahiya Ziri, and Meriem Ouadn.

The Inspirational Women Award recognized footballer Ghizlane Chebbak, fashion designer Souaad Gargari, and singer Jaylan.

A tribute was also paid to Khadija Doukali, former AFEM Secretary General.

AFEM and CIFE Sign Partnership to Boost Cooperation Between Moroccan and Tunisian Women Entrepreneurs

The evening concluded with the signing of a partnership agreement between AFEM and the International Council of Women Entrepreneurs (CIFE) to strengthen cooperation between Moroccan and Tunisian businesswomen through joint training and support programs.