In a landmark move to promote inclusive and climate-resilient agriculture, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a €100 million loan to support Morocco’s inclusive and solidarity-based agriculture programme, with a major focus on empowering women and youth entrepreneurs in the sector.
The initiative is designed to unlock sustainable economic opportunities across Morocco’s agricultural landscape, bolster food security, and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers impacted by climate change. It will also drive entrepreneurship through targeted financial incentives, access to funding, and technical support, particularly for underserved groups.
A core component of the programme is the empowerment of women-led enterprises across agriculture, agro-processing, and agri-digital technologies. It will facilitate the development of new infrastructure to boost productivity and ensure that women are more fully integrated into agricultural value chains. The initiative aligns with Morocco’s Green Generation 2020–2030 Strategy and national youth entrepreneurship agenda.
“Women who have the ambition to undertake and succeed in agriculture are our priority,” said Achraf Tarsim, AfDB’s Country Manager for Morocco. “Through this new operation, we will support them step by step to build a modern, inclusive, and resilient agriculture—one that unlocks innovation, value creation, and job opportunities in their communities.”
This programme underscores the AfDB’s broader commitment to inclusive development across Africa and sets a scalable model that could be replicated in other African countries, including Nigeria. With its emphasis on solidarity-based agriculture, youth engagement, and gender equity, the Moroccan model offers valuable insights for policymakers, development partners, and MSME stakeholders working in agriculture, agribusiness, and agri-fintech.
