Morocco Moves Forward with Social Protection Pledges to Boost Direct Aid Program

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch chaired the inaugural meeting of the National Agency for Social Support (ANSS) Board of Directors, marking a significant step in implementing Morocco’s social protection strategy.

A statement from the government office said the meeting discussed the challenges surrounding the establishment of the agency and approved its action plan for the providential budget for 2025.

The direct social aid program targets improving living standards for vulnerable families, reducing poverty, and promoting social development with a budget allocation of MAD 25 billion for 2024.

The program benefits nearly four million households, including 5.4 children and 1.2 million seniors over the age of 60.

The direct program is part of Morocco’s pledges to improve social support mechanisms under King Mohammed VI’s directives calling for a more inclusive approach that aligns with the country’s social and economic developments.

Fouzi Lekjaa, Delegate Minister for Budget Delegate, emphasized that this meeting aims to ensure the ANSS operates “under the best conditions” to fulfill directives from King Mohammed VI.

Lekjaa stressed that the project reflects one of the core pillars of the significant social protection initiatives, adding that this aims to improve the living standard of beneficiaries as well as adhering to the principles of transparency, fairness, solidarity, and good governance.

In 2023, King Mohammed VI announced the imminent operationalization of a comprehensive direct social aid program, designed to embody the nation’s deeply ingrained values of social solidarity.

“According to our Constitution, the family is the pillar of society. Therefore, I have always sought to make sure the conditions conducive to family cohesion are in place,” he said, adding that the initiative is primarily intended for school-age children, as well as vulnerable citizens with particular focuses on households caring for the elderly.

“Thanks to its direct impact, this program will contribute to raising the standard of living of target families and will help fight poverty and vulnerability, in addition to improving social and human development indicators,” the monarch added.