The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €100 million (1.05 billion birhams) loan to support sustainable agriculture initiatives led by women and young people in Morocco, the bank announced on Monday. The financing is meant to help Morocco implement the Inclusive Solidarity Agriculture Support Program for Women and Youth (PAASIFEJ), according to a statement. The project aims to create sustainable opportunities for women and young people, strengthen food security, and better prepare small-scale Moroccan agriculture for the challenges of climate change, the AfDB said in a statement. It will promote youth and women entrepreneurship in rural areas by establishing appropriate financing and incentive mechanisms and by enhancing technical and financial support systems, the statement added. The program will also facilitate the rollout of new infrastructure, production tools, and agricultural services, helping to solidify women's roles in local value chains, strengthen their skills, and increase their productivity. According to the AfDB, these efforts will support the emergence of women entrepreneurs in agriculture, agri-business, processing, and digital sectors. They will also contribute to Morocco's new employment roadmap by encouraging rural entrepreneurship. «Women who have the ambition to succeed in agriculture are our priority», said Achraf Tarsim, head of the AfDB's office in Morocco. Aligned with Morocco's national priorities, the program will support the implementation of the Generation Green 2020–2030 strategy, the National Solidarity Agriculture Program, and the Youth Entrepreneurship Program. For over half a century, the AfDB Group has mobilized nearly €15 billion to finance more than 150 projects and programs across Morocco. Its investments span key sectors such as transportation, social protection, water and sanitation, energy, agriculture, governance, and finance. Article modifié le 21/07/2025 à 14h00
