Morocco Unlocks Funding for Small Businesses: A National Charter for VSE Growth – Breaking News for Google News & SEO
Rabat, Morocco – In a move poised to reshape Morocco’s economic landscape, a landmark National Charter designed to significantly boost access to credit for Very Small Enterprises (VSEs) was signed today in Rabat. This isn’t just another policy announcement; it’s a concerted effort, backed by the highest levels of government and the financial sector, to address long-standing inequalities and unlock the immense potential of Morocco’s smallest businesses. This is urgent breaking news for anyone following African economic development and financial inclusion.
Royal Mandate Drives Financial Inclusion
The initiative directly responds to directives outlined in the Speech from the Throne on July 30, 2025, emphasizing the critical need to reduce social and territorial disparities and distribute economic development more evenly across the Kingdom. Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) Governor Abdellatif Jouahri underscored the financial sector’s responsibility to heed this call, highlighting a key challenge: Morocco’s high reliance on cash – a staggering 28% of GDP, one of the highest rates globally. This reliance hinders transparency and efficiency, and the Charter aims to tackle it head-on.
Digitalization and AI: The Engine of Change
Jouahri emphasized that the solution lies in embracing digital solutions, accelerating digitalization, and leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI). The plan isn’t simply about throwing money at the problem; it’s about fundamentally changing how credit is assessed and delivered. “We have analyzed all the components of this problem and identified the levers that allow us to work efficiently,” Jouahri stated. The goal is ambitious: to ensure at least one point of access to financial services in every municipality across Morocco. This is a significant step towards true financial inclusion.
A Collaborative Effort: Who’s Involved?
The Charter is the result of a powerful collaboration between key institutions: the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Investment, Bank Al-Maghrib, Tamwilcom, Maroc PME, the Professional Group of Banks of Morocco (GPBM), the National Federation of Microcredit Associations (FNAM), and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM). This broad coalition signals a unified commitment to supporting VSEs, which represent a remarkable 94% of Morocco’s productive fabric.
What Does This Mean for VSEs?
Mohamed El Kettani, VP of the GPBM, explained that the Charter provides “specific provisions which will guide the activities of the banking sector in the weeks and months to come.” This translates to several key improvements for VSEs seeking financing: specialization of banking teams, digitalization of services, and, crucially, improved scoring models. The sheer volume of small loan applications – tens of thousands monthly – demands a more efficient process, and AI is seen as the key to “industrializing” loan processing. Youssef El Alaoui, president of the CGEM group, highlighted that 90% of CGEM members are SMEs or VSEs, underscoring the broad impact of this initiative.
Tamwilcom’s Central Role and New Investment Incentives
Tamwilcom, a key player in supporting small businesses, mobilized 41 billion dirhams in financing in 2024, with 89% directed towards VSEs. They will continue to support bank-submitted files without volume limits, while refining their guarantee policies. Importantly, the Charter complements the new Investment Charter, offering incentive schemes to attract private investment and further reduce territorial disparities. This synergy creates a powerful ecosystem for growth.
Key Operational Measures: From 2025 & 2026
The Charter outlines concrete operational measures, including:
- Reinforced Credit Offers: Banks, microfinance institutions, and Tamwilcom will offer tailored credit and guarantee options.
- Preferential Refinancing: Bank Al-Maghrib has already launched a specific refinancing mechanism for VSEs at a preferential rate, effective March 2025.
- National Scoring System: A national scoring system, designed to better assess VSE risk, will be implemented by early 2026.
- Non-Financial Support: Enhanced training, awareness programs, and technical assistance will be provided to entrepreneurs.
A dedicated TPE Committee will monitor progress and evaluate the system’s performance, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
This Charter isn’t just about easing access to capital; it’s about empowering Morocco’s entrepreneurs, fostering job creation, and building a more resilient and inclusive economy. It’s a bold step towards realizing the full economic potential of the nation’s vast network of very small enterprises, and a signal to the world that Morocco is serious about supporting its small business community. Stay tuned to archyde.com for ongoing coverage of this developing story and its impact on the Moroccan economy.
