AfDB Approves €100M Loan to Empower Women, Youth in Moroccan Agriculture

In a significant boost for Morocco’s rural development ambitions, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a €100 million loan to support a large-scale inclusive and solidarity-based agriculture program. The initiative is specifically designed to uplift women and youth in rural communities, aligning with Morocco’s long-term agricultural and employment strategies.

Inclusive Agriculture as a Driver of Transformation

The approved funding will help generate sustainable economic opportunities for underserved rural populations, particularly young people and women who face persistent structural barriers in agriculture and agri-business. The project’s key components aim to improve food security, enhance climate resilience in small-scale farming, and promote entrepreneurship through targeted technical and financial assistance.

“This isn’t just about farming,” said Achraf Tarsim, the African Development Bank's Country Manager in Morocco. “This is about enabling women and youth to become leaders of transformation in their communities. Through this new operation, we will support them step by step to build a modern, inclusive and resilient agriculture, capable of revealing the full potential of those who aspire to innovate and create value and employment in their territories.”

Anchoring Women in Agricultural Value Chains

A core pillar of the program is to integrate women more deeply into local value chains by deploying new agricultural production and service infrastructure. This includes building processing centers, irrigation networks, and digital service hubs that will not only support productivity but also increase access to markets, training, and funding.

The initiative will empower women to move beyond subsistence farming into value-added sectors, such as agro-processing, organic food production, and agricultural tech, all while improving their financial literacy and business capabilities.

Supporting National Strategies: Green Generation 2020–2030

The program is a cornerstone investment aligned with Morocco’s Green Generation 2020–2030 Strategy, an ambitious 10-year roadmap to modernize agriculture by making it more inclusive, efficient, and climate-smart. It also complements the National Solidarity Agriculture Program and the National Youth Entrepreneurship Program, which aim to foster local innovation and job creation in rural zones.

Together, these strategies represent Morocco’s broader transition toward a sustainable agriculture model that leverages technology, equity, and environmental stewardship.

Entrepreneurial Incentives and Skill Development

The project includes a package of tailored financing mechanisms, grants, and startup incentives that will reduce risk and encourage private investment in rural entrepreneurship. By strengthening support systems for training and micro-financing, the initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs, including those focused on green technology and climate-resilient crops.

Special attention will be given to capacity-building programs that provide mentorship, access to incubation hubs, and digital tools to promote innovation and efficiency in agricultural practices.

A Deepening Partnership with Morocco

This latest investment strengthens a long-standing partnership between the African Development Bank and Morocco. Over the past five decades, AfDB has invested close to €15 billion in over 150 high-impact projects spanning critical sectors such as:

• Transport and Infrastructure

• Water and Sanitation

• Renewable Energy

• Social Protection

• Governance and Public Finance

• Agriculture and Food Security

The AfDB’s ongoing involvement reflects a shared vision for integrated development and a commitment to reducing poverty, inequality, and rural isolation.

Broader Impact: Climate, Food Systems, and Economic Equity

By addressing multiple challenges — from youth unemployment and gender disparity to climate change and food insecurity — the program is poised to become a model for integrated rural development in North Africa and beyond.

The initiative not only accelerates Morocco’s domestic goals but also contributes to regional and continental efforts, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on zero hunger (SDG 2), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work (SDG 8), and climate action (SDG 13).

Final Thoughts

This €100 million investment by AfDB is more than a financial commitment — it is a strategic intervention designed to reshape Morocco’s agricultural landscape through inclusive innovation, gender equity, and economic resilience. As Morocco continues to implement its visionary Green Generation strategy, such support ensures that rural women and youth are not just participants in agriculture but drivers of lasting transformation.