The African Development Bank Group has committed €200 million to Morocco to strengthen employability, improve vocational training, and prepare young people for the future labor market. The financing forms part of the Bank’s broader strategy to support Morocco’s socio-economic transformation and help the country address rising youth unemployment and changing workforce demands.
The announcement was made as part of the African Development Bank’s new Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Morocco covering the 2024–2029 period, approved on 27 May 2024. The strategy focuses on boosting inclusive growth, supporting industrial competitiveness, and investing in human capital development.
Speaking during the approval of the strategy, Achraf Tarsim emphasized the significance of the partnership between Morocco and the Bank.
“This new strategy sets the course, objectives and pace of our investments over the next five years in the Kingdom, our leading partner on the continent, with over 12 billion euros mobilized in strategic sectors,”
Tarsim said during the meeting announcing the approval of the new strategy.
The €200 million commitment is expected to support programs aimed at improving technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, digital training, and employment opportunities for youth and women. Moroccan authorities and development partners have increasingly stressed the need to align education systems with modern labour market requirements, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, digital technology, and agribusiness.
According to the African Development Bank, the strategy places a strong emphasis on “skill development, employability and entrepreneurship to strengthen inclusion.” The initiative also seeks to improve resilience in Morocco’s economy while creating opportunities for young people entering the labor market.
The new financing continues a long-standing partnership between Morocco and the African Development Bank. Over the years, the institution has funded projects in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, governance, and social development. Morocco remains one of the Bank’s leading partners on the African continent.
The employability initiative also builds upon previous investments focused on sustainable job creation. On 16 May 2018, the African Development Bank approved another €200 million financing package aimed at developing Morocco’s agricultural value chains and strengthening employment opportunities in rural areas.
During that announcement, Mohamed El Azizi highlighted the importance of creating quality jobs for young people and women.
“Creating employment and, in particular, sustainable and quality employment for rural youth and women, is a strategic priority for the African Development Bank in North Africa,”
The latest investment comes at a time when Morocco is seeking to modernize its economy and improve competitiveness in emerging industries. Despite progress in industrialization and infrastructure development, unemployment among young graduates remains a major challenge. Experts have noted that many graduates struggle to transition into stable employment because of a mismatch between academic training and the practical skills required by employers.
To address these concerns, the African Development Bank’s strategy promotes stronger collaboration between universities, vocational institutes, and private sector companies. The Bank believes future economic growth will depend heavily on developing a skilled workforce capable of adapting to technological and environmental changes shaping global economies.
On 30 June 2025, the African Development Bank further strengthened its support for Morocco by approving more than €300 million for economic competitiveness and entrepreneurship programs, including initiatives designed to create jobs and support small businesses.
Commenting during the announcement of the financing package, Achraf Tarsim explained how the projects would work together to support employment and entrepreneurship.
“Together, these two new operations work in synergy and complement each other to strengthen their impact. They combine their objectives to consolidate the economy's competitiveness, strengthen its resilience to shocks and boost investment and entrepreneurship. These are all levers for creating opportunities and jobs for young people and women,”
Tarsim stated during the official presentation of the programs.
Development analysts say Morocco has positioned itself as one of Africa’s leading economies through investments in renewable energy, logistics, manufacturing, and industrial development. However, experts also argue that sustaining long-term growth will require continued investments in education, innovation, and workforce readiness.
The African Development Bank’s €200 million employability initiative reflects a growing recognition that human capital development is essential for economic transformation. As industries increasingly rely on digital technologies and green innovation, preparing young people with future ready skills has become a critical priority for governments and financial institutions across Africa.
Through this financing commitment, Morocco and the African Development Bank hope to strengthen inclusion, expand employment opportunities, and equip a new generation of workers with the tools needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy.