Morocco Highlights Role of Remittances in Rural Development

Morocco is a leading remittance-receiving country in the Middle East and North Africa, with inflows reaching around MAD 122 billion (USD 13 billion) in 2025, representing roughly 8 percent of GDP.

A high-level event in Rabat today marked the International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) and highlighted the vital role remittances play in supporting households, boosting financial inclusion, and strengthening economic resilience in Morocco. The event explored how policy, partnerships, and financial services can enhance remittances' contribution to rural development, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

Morocco is a leading remittance-receiving country in the Middle East and North Africa, with inflows reaching around MAD 122 billion (USD 13 billion) in 2025, representing roughly 8 percent of GDP. These funds are essential for millions of families and play a key role in economic stability. Yet, challenges remain, particularly in rural areas where access to financial services is limited and households often remain underserved.

Remittances Support Resilience, Investment and Jobs

Government representatives, financial institutions, development partners, payment providers, civil society, and members of the Moroccan diaspora came together to exchange experiences and identify ways to strengthen remittance ecosystems. Discussions focused on harnessing digital and innovative financial tools, linking remittances to savings, investment, and entrepreneurship, promoting financial education, and supporting women's economic participation. Participants also discussed reducing transfer costs in line with Sustainable Development Goal 10.c.

Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, IFAD Country Director for Morocco, said remittances are more than money—they are investments in resilience, dignity, and opportunity. He highlighted initiatives like DigitRemit Morocco, which aim to strengthen the developmental impact of remittances through digitalisation, financial inclusion, and innovation.

Partnerships Strengthen Economic Impact

Charles Thépaut, Minister Counsellor at the French Embassy in Morocco, highlighted France's role as the largest source of remittances to Morocco, accounting for about 31 percent of total flows, equivalent to over EUR 3.3 billion per year. He emphasised that these financial flows not only support households but also foster solidarity, economic inclusion, and local development, especially for women and youth.

Abderrahim Bouazza, Director General of Bank Al-Maghrib, noted the importance of leveraging remittances for productive investment to support sustainable economic projects, particularly in rural areas. Redouane Arrach, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, said remittances complement Morocco's Generation Green 2020–2030 strategy, helping create value, promote entrepreneurship, and generate sustainable jobs for young people and women.

Daniele Dotto, Deputy Head of Delegation for the EU in Morocco, stressed that initiatives such as the ongoing DigitRemit programme strengthen digital financial inclusion while promoting inclusive opportunities for rural populations, women, and youth.

Strengthening Development Through Knowledge and Innovation

The event underscored the potential of remittances to drive sustainable development and highlighted the importance of policies, partnerships, and innovative financial solutions to maximise their impact. With continued collaboration among governments, financial institutions, diaspora networks, and international partners, Morocco aims to harness remittances as a tool for economic growth, resilience, and inclusive development across the country's rural communities.