“Over the past two decades, Morocco has undergone a significant transformation, driven by the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI”, stated Mrs. Aicha Errifaai, General Director of the Office of Cooperation Development, on Friday 27th September, in Johannesburg.

Speaking at the launch of the African Cooperative Center at the headquarters of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Mrs. Errifaai emphasized that “the royal vision, marked by wisdom and foresight, has guided the country’s development in various sectors, with social and solidarity economy (SSE) emerging as a key pillar.”

She explained that in Morocco, SSE has steadily progressed through strategic initiatives and legislative reforms that have significantly reshaped the cooperative landscape. Today, SSE serves as a crucial tool to reduce social inequalities, promote financial inclusion, and foster community-driven development.

Mrs. Errifaai also mentioned the adoption of the country’s new development model in 2021, which marked a turning point, officially positioning SSE at the core of Morocco’s economic strategy.

In this context, SSE is seen not only as a means to alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods but also as a powerful engine for economic empowerment, she added.

Mrs. Errifaai further highlighted Morocco’s ambitious goal of increasing SSE’s contribution to GDP from 2% to 8% by 2035, while also creating 50,000 decent jobs annually. To achieve these targets, a legal framework for SSE has been established, though it is still awaiting adoption, aimed at defining the necessary mechanisms for its development.

She also noted that by the end of 2023, the Moroccan cooperative sector comprised more than 58,000 cooperatives, encompassing around 750,000 members across various sectors.

Regarding the launch of the African Cooperative Center, Mrs. Errifaai stressed that it marks a crucial step for SSE in Africa, providing a platform for cooperatives across the continent to collaborate and explore synergies with governmental institutions.

She reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to aligning its policies with the African Union’s ten-year strategy for SSE, expressing the country’s desire to place Moroccan cooperatives at the forefront of this initiative through active engagement and experience sharing.

The launch of the African Cooperative Center brought together cooperative organizations from various economic sectors, representatives from African Union member states, and delegates from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other international organizations.