In a significant boost to its small business sector, the Moroccan government has approved 89 investment projects under the National SME Program in just six weeks.
Totaling approximately 1.28 billion dirhams ($140 million), these initiatives are expected to create roughly 5,000 direct jobs in their first phase. The announcement was made by Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate for Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies, during a session at the House of Representatives on January 6, 2026. Minister Zidane emphasized that if this momentum continues, the program could potentially generate up to 40,000 jobs annually. This support mechanism is a cornerstone of the 2022–2026 business climate roadmap, which is currently 98% launched with a 67% overall completion rate.
A key feature of this strategy is the radical decentralization of investment management. To reduce bureaucratic delays, the government has delegated the preparation, approval, and funding of projects valued under 250 million dirhams ($27.3 million) to Regional Investment Centers (CRI). This shift allows local authorities to tailor support to regional economic needs and accelerate the disbursement of grants, which can cover up to 30% of eligible investment costs.
Zidane’s report underscores Morocco’s broader goal of reaching full implementation of its business reforms by the end of 2026. By focusing on very small, small, and medium-sized enterprises (TPMEs), the Kingdom aims to diversify its productive economy and ensure that the benefits of investment reach beyond the traditional industrial hubs of the Tangier-Casablanca axis.
MK/AK/fss/abj/APA