The World Bank has approved a $250 million funding package to support Morocco's social protection reform, aiming to strengthen social safety nets for human development. In a statement released Thursday, the international financial institution highlighted Morocco's significant progress over the past two decades, driven by social protection reforms that have improved living standards and expanded access to essential services. «While challenges remain, such as high unemployment and low female labor force participation, Morocco is firmly committed to inclusive growth. Despite recent external shocks like drought and inflation, the country continues to work toward reducing poverty and boosting resilience, especially in rural areas», the World Bank added. The government launched the direct social assistance program in December 2023, a key pillar of the national social protection reform, which had already benefited more than 3.9 million households by March 2025. Morocco has shown resilience amid multiple challenges, with a national poverty rate of 3.8% in 2022. Despite rising income inequality and ongoing vulnerabilities, there remains an opportunity to strengthen social safety nets and improve shock response, particularly in rural areas and regions vulnerable to climate disruptions, said Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, World Bank Division Director for the Maghreb and Malta. The World Bank-supported project also aims to enhance the capacity of the National Agency for Social Support (ANSS) to implement the direct social assistance program effectively.
