World Bank Grants $250 Million to Reinforce Morocco's Social Protection

Rabat – Morocco secured financing from the World Bank as it advances a large-scale reform of its social safety nets.
The institution's Board of Directors approved a $250 million financing package to support the country's Support to Strengthening of Social Safety Nets for Human Development Project.
The funding comes as Morocco rolls out the Direct Social Benefit (DSB) program, which the government introduced in late 2023 as a cornerstone of its broader reform agenda.
By March 2025, the program had already reached over 3.9 million households across the country, providing cash assistance and linking families to essential services.
The World Bank's new package aims to reinforce this approach. It will help improve the way Morocco delivers aid to the poorest families, while also creating pathways for economic inclusion.
Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, the World Bank's Director for the Maghreb and Malta, pointed to Morocco's achievements in reducing poverty, which fell to 3.8% in 2022. But he also acknowledged that many households remain vulnerable to shocks.
'Morocco has made notable strides, yet many families still lack the tools to withstand economic disruptions or take part in the job market,' Ndiaye said. 'This program opens the door for people to invest in education, access care services, and seek out work, particularly women and youth.'
Morocco has made steady progress over the past two decades in lifting living standards and extending public services. But the road ahead remains challenging.
High unemployment, weak female labor force participation, and widening rural-urban gaps continue to weigh on the country's ambitions for equitable growth.
Morocco's unemployment rate has witnessed a slight decrease of 0.4% in the first quarter of 2025, falling from 13.7% to 13.3% compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to Morocco's Higher Commission for Planning (HCP). Yet, this decrease is still far from satisfactory.
The World Bank project will support the National Agency for Social Support (ANSS), which manages the DSB program, in tightening coordination across ministries and boosting the efficiency of benefit delivery.
At the core of the initiative is a citizen-focused model that seeks to connect public spending with measurable outcomes, such as more children in school, better health coverage, and stronger ties to the labor market.
With support from international partners, Morocco hopes to build a safety net that gives people the means to move forward. Tags: Morocco economysocial protectionUnemploymentworld bank

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