Rabat, April 24, 2026 – The Europe Today: Financial inclusion is increasingly being recognized as a vital driver of economic growth and social integration in rural areas, Morocco’s agriculture minister stated during a conference held on the sidelines of the International Agriculture Fair in Meknes (SIAM).
Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari emphasized that expanding access to financial services is essential for strengthening rural economies, particularly as farmers confront mounting challenges related to climate change and evolving economic conditions.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by the ministry’s financial director, Mohamed Ouhssain, the minister underscored the importance of enhanced coordination among public institutions, financial entities, and private stakeholders to develop solutions tailored to the specific needs of rural communities.
He highlighted that women and young farmers require particular attention, as they often encounter greater barriers in accessing financial services.
Officials pointed to Morocco’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy as a cornerstone framework guiding these efforts. The initiative, led jointly by the agriculture and finance ministries in collaboration with Bank Al-Maghrib, seeks to expand access to formal financial services, improve service quality, and encourage adoption among underserved populations, particularly smallholder farmers.
The second phase of the strategy aims to deepen its impact by focusing on the most vulnerable groups through targeted and innovative measures designed to enhance socio-economic outcomes.
As part of these efforts, the agriculture ministry is prioritizing financial literacy programs, expanding digital financial services, and promoting mobile payment solutions. Authorities are also working to improve access to inclusive agricultural insurance and financing mechanisms tailored to the sector’s unique requirements.
On the sidelines of the SIAM conference, the ministry signed a framework agreement with the Professional Association of Payment Institutions to advance innovative and inclusive payment solutions suited to rural environments.
Held under the theme of financial inclusion as a lever for resilient and sustainable agriculture, the conference brought together a wide range of public and private stakeholders to explore practical solutions and strengthen collaboration in support of Morocco’s rural development agenda.
