Agadir – Jemaa Essoussy, founder and president of the Assil Ouargane Cooperative and the Arganic brand, is one of the women entrepreneurs driving Morocco’s argan industry.
The cooperative, based in Sidi Ifni Province, was created in 2016. It produces argan oil, other plant-based oils, and cosmetic products made from natural ingredients.
From the start, the project aimed to turn local resources into products with added value. It has also worked to overcome the difficulties that women-led initiatives often face in rural and mountainous areas, including limited access to markets and funding.
Through Assil Ouargane, Essoussy has built a model that connects traditional knowledge with modern demand, giving local communities a way to benefit from Morocco’s argan heritage while creating opportunities for women in the region.
In a interview on “Voice of Argan,” ANDZOA’s flagship podcast, Essoussy explained that the cooperative’s journey was shaped by difficulties that became a source of motivation rather than obstacles. “We do not call them problems,” she said. “We see them as motivations that pushed us to move forward and continue working toward success.”
Over the years, the cooperative has gradually achieved both local and national milestones, and today its products are present in five international markets. This progress, according to Essoussy, required strict compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
The cooperative obtained several certifications and authorizations, including health permits, industrial licenses, organic certification, ISO 22716, and the Moroccan quality label recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture. These certifications opened access to new markets and enabled participation in national exhibitions and trade fairs.
Essoussy stressed that this success was not achieved by the cooperative alone, but through coordination with public institutions.
She credited the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, regional and provincial authorities, and technical partners for accompanying the cooperative through training, regulatory guidance, and market access.
Special attention was given to packaging and product presentation, which Essoussy said is as a major challenge for cooperatives in rural areas. “It is not easy for a cooperative to present itself professionally through packaging that represents Morocco,” she said, noting that early support in this area played a key role in building consumer trust.
The cooperative has been participating in the International Argan Tree Fair in Agadir since its first edition in 2019, viewing the event as a strategic platform to connect with clients in the Souss region and to promote local products at a national level.
Essoussy said the fair allows cooperatives from less accessible areas to better represent their regions and introduce their products to a wider audience.
“Our participation helps us get closer to our customers and represent our region in the best possible way,” she said, adding that visibility gained through the fair encourages further development and innovation.
Essoussy believes the cooperative’s progress reflects the growing role of women in Morocco’s rural economy. “Women today, with state support and proper guidance, are capable of achieving real success,” she said, expressing optimism about expanding the cooperative’s activities in the coming years.
