Casablanca, Morocco – The non-governmental organization Tibu Africa celebrated the graduation of 36 young women from the fourth cohort of its “Girls Can Initiative” on March 10, 2026. The program, which utilizes sport as a catalyst for empowerment, provides training, mentorship, and practical experience to facilitate the socio-economic inclusion of young girls. This initiative comes as part of a broader effort to address educational and employment gaps among vulnerable youth in Morocco.
The “Girls Can Initiative” is designed to equip participants with essential life skills and bolster their self-confidence, particularly those who have limited access to education, training, or employment opportunities. According to information released by MAGACTU EVENTS, the 30-week program involved supervision by 74 trainers and 20 volunteers, alongside collaboration with 12 associations, delivering 26 activities and experiences in the field. The program’s success highlights the growing recognition of sport’s potential as a tool for social and economic development.
Empowering Girls Through Sport and Skill Development
Mohamed Amine Zariat, president-founder of Tibu Africa, stated that the initiative aims to cultivate a generation of influential women within Moroccan society. He emphasized the organization’s vision of leveraging sport as a pathway to socio-economic integration, particularly for marginalized young women, by enhancing their personal and professional competencies. Tibu Africa intends to expand the reach of the “Girls Can” program to benefit a larger number of young girls in the future. The organization’s broader goal is to become a national leader in development through sport in Africa by 2030, recognizing sport as a powerful driver of change in complex environments, especially regarding equity and gender equality.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Isabelle Valois, the Canadian Ambassador to Morocco, who underscored the initiative’s positive impact on girls’ empowerment and skill development. “These initiatives contribute really to the empowerment of girls and to the improvement of their skills as well as self-confidence, which allows them to play an important role within society,” Valois said, according to reporting from MAGACTU EVENTS.
Girls CAN Initiative: A National Effort
The “Girls Can Initiative” builds upon Tibu Africa’s broader commitment to empowering girls and women through sport. In October 2023, the organization hosted the first National Forum on the Empowerment of Adolescent Girls through Sport in Casablanca, bringing together government officials, civil society organizations, and over 300 participants to discuss innovative solutions for advancing gender equality. The forum, held on October 11, 2023, aligned with the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl, and focused on the theme “Keep Girls in the Game.” More information about the forum is available on the Tibu Africa website.
The initiative likewise has roots in a broader partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, launching on March 6th, with the aim of promoting sport as a means of equity and empowerment. SNRT reports that the initiative initially targeted girls in Casablanca’s disadvantaged neighborhoods, representing countries participating in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The program involved 240 young women, with 36 trained as sport-health animators and 204 participating as football players. A 45-day boot camp, starting April 6th, will further develop the skills of the 36 animators in football animation, technical skills, behavioral competencies, and entrepreneurship.
Tibu Africa’s operate is supported by organizations like TotalEnergies, as highlighted in a recent post on Instagram, demonstrating a collaborative approach to youth empowerment.
Looking ahead, the continued success of the “Girls Can Initiative” will depend on sustained funding, strong partnerships, and a commitment to expanding its reach to benefit even more young women across Morocco. The program’s focus on skill development and empowerment positions its graduates for greater opportunities in education, employment, and civic engagement.
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