Errachidia – The National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and Argan Trees (ANDZOA) is supporting women’s economic empowerment in Errachidia Province through projects aimed at strengthening local cooperatives and preserving traditional craftsmanship.
The initiative aims to improve women’s access to income-generating activities while promoting traditional skills and crafts passed down through generations.
Established in 2025, the cooperative specializes in traditional clothing, particularly the Tahrouit, a garment associated with the region’s cultural heritage.
Through its activities, the cooperative seeks to preserve traditional craftsmanship while developing its members’ skills and expanding opportunities to market their products.
Supporting women and preserving local heritage
The equipment provided to Tismounne Tamlli forms part of ANDZOA’s wider efforts to strengthen the economic independence of women living in Morocco’s oasis regions.
By supporting activities such as sewing, embroidery, and weaving, the agency aims to help women develop their businesses and turn traditional skills into sources of income.
However, access to markets remains a challenge for small cooperatives in the region.
The cooperative’s online profile identifies marketing difficulties and limited equipment as obstacles to expanding its activities.
The latest support seeks to address some of these challenges by improving production facilities and creating better conditions for the development of traditional crafts.
ANDZOA advances oasis development projects
The initiative is part of broader development efforts in Errachidia Province, where ANDZOA is implementing projects combining environmental protection, economic development, and social inclusion.
These efforts gained renewed attention during the 15th edition of the International Date Fair (SIDATTES), held in Erfoud from October 28 to November 1.
The agency’s projects include support for local cooperatives, sustainable tourism initiatives, palm waste recycling, and improvements to community infrastructure.
Under the Sustainable Management of Oasis Ecosystems in Morocco Project (PROGEDOM), supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank, ANDZOA is also working to strengthen the resilience of oasis communities.
The broader program includes initiatives to support women’s entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities for young people.
Through projects such as Tismounne Tamlli, ANDZOA seeks to promote an economic development model that combines women’s participation, traditional craftsmanship, and the preservation of Morocco’s oasis heritage.
