Rabat – Morocco’s Head of Government Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri pledged on Monday to allocate MAD 2 billion (approximately $205 million) to support the integration of the Amazigh language across key public institutions, including education, administration, and the judiciary.
Presenting her government’s program for 2026-2031 before parliament, El Mansouri outlined plans for a dedicated fund and a permanent ministerial committee to oversee the implementation of Amazigh’s official status.
“To give effect to the official status of Amazigh, we will establish a dedicated fund with an allocation of MAD 2 billion,” El Mansouri said.
The proposal also covers the language’s use in media and public signage, with annual reports expected to track progress across the targeted sectors.
The commitment falls under the government’s third policy priority, which focuses on preserving Moroccan identity, citizenship, and social cohesion.
Building on previous Amazigh reforms
Amazigh has been recognized as an official language of Morocco alongside Arabic since the adoption of the 2011 constitution.
Article 5 establishes Amazigh as a shared heritage of all Moroccans and requires the state to progressively incorporate it into education and other areas of public life.
The commitment was reinforced in September 2019 through Organic Law 26.16, which established the legal framework and implementation stages for the language’s official recognition.
Successive governments have since introduced measures to expand its presence in public administration, education, and government services.
According to the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reforms, the previous government established financial support for Amazigh integration, with allocations of MAD 200 million (approximately $20.5 million) in 2022 and MAD 300 million (approximately $30.7 million) annually in 2023 and 2024. The funding was scheduled to reach MAD 1 billion (approximately $102.3 million) starting in 2025.
The ministry also implemented measures to improve access to public services for Amazigh speakers, including reception and assistance services in government institutions.
In January, the previous government said it had allocated 1,000 teaching positions specifically for Amazigh-language instruction, compared with approximately 200 in 2020.
El Mansouri’s MAD 2 billion (approximately $205 million) commitment therefore builds on an existing reform process, although her program does not specify whether the proposed amount represents annual funding or an allocation covering a longer period.
Ministerial oversight and implementation
Under the new government’s proposal, a permanent ministerial committee attached to the Head of Government would monitor the language’s integration into public institutions.
However, the concept of such a committee is not new. Organic Law 26.16 already provides for a permanent ministerial body responsible for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of Amazigh’s official status, with its composition established by a decree issued in 2020.
El Mansouri’s presentation does not clarify whether the proposed arrangement would strengthen the existing committee or introduce a different oversight structure.
The government also pledged to publish annual indicators measuring the progress of Amazigh integration, which would provide a basis for assessing implementation over its five-year term.
Cultural heritage and social cohesion
Moreover, El Mansouri outlined commitments to protect Morocco’s cultural heritage and improve access to cultural activities across different regions.
The government also intends to pursue reforms to the Family Code (Moudawana), strengthen protections for women and children, and expand support for people with disabilities.
Other proposals include stronger safeguards for personal data, simplified authorization procedures for civil society organizations, and measures to facilitate access to public information.
El Mansouri further pledged a more holistic approach to Moroccans living abroad, with policies intended to strengthen their participation in national life and support their contributions to the country’s development.
These measures form part of the government’s broader commitment to protecting Morocco’s cultural and linguistic diversity while strengthening social cohesion during the 2026–2031 term.
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