馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
EBRD grants Attawfiq Micro-Finance 40 million euros for women and youth entrepreneurship programs
via Le Matin3 min read
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD has approved two senior unsecured loans totaling 40 million euros for Attawfiq Micro-Finance AMF. These funds, pending signature, are designated for the "Women in Business" WiB and "Youth in Business" YiB programs, both backed by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus EFSD+. Each program will receive 20 million euros. The WiB program aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises MSMEs led by women, improving their access to finance and advice, and adapting AMF's operational model to women entrepreneurs' needs. This also includes facilitating access to finance for women-led MSMEs in regions affected by the September 8, 2023 earthquake. The YiB program targets Moroccan MSMEs owned or led by young entrepreneurs under 35, seeking to expand economic opportunities for underserved young entrepreneurs and contribute to the recovery and reconstruction of earthquake-affected areas. Both financing lines include complementary technical assistance. The WiB program will receive technical cooperation funded by the European Union to train AMF staff and strengthen internal capacities, along with capacity building and advisory services for the MSMEs. It also includes a first-loss guarantee from the European Union via EFSD+ and investment incentives for sub-borrowers investing in digital technologies. The YiB program will receive technical cooperation funded by the EBRD's Shareholder Special Fund to strengthen AM
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Morocco Foodex, also known as the Autonomous Establishment for Export Control and Coordination EACCE, is undertaking a strategic move to enhance its brand assets. Operating under the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, the organization has begun a specialized legal assistance process for the national and international registration of two mixed brands. These brands, which combine verbal and figurative elements, will be protected in four key territories: Morocco, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The operation involves external technical assistance for filing registration applications with the relevant offices and subsequent administrative follow-up until ownership titles are secured or a significant procedural event occurs. The first brand covers eleven classes, and the second covers seven classes, according to the Nice International Classification. In Morocco, national filings will be made with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property OMPIC. For the UK and EU, Morocco Foodex will use the Madrid System, managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO International Bureau in Geneva, simultaneously designating the UK Intellectual Property Office UKIPO and the European Union Intellectual Property Office EUIPO, with OMPIC acting as the office of origin. The US process differs due to specific trademark laws, requiring a specialized law firm accredited to practice before the US
Must ReadMorocco has been classified as the third-largest frontier financial market globally by Morgan Stanley Capital International MSCI in its June 2026 report. This recognition highlights the increasing maturity of Morocco's capital market and its attractive financial environment for international investors. Frontier markets are economies with financial markets of limited size but strong growth potential. Morocco's ranking suggests it is close to joining the category of emerging markets, which includes economic powers like China, India, and Brazil. This promising position is attributed to a process of reforms and rigor, including Morocco's political stability and the robustness of its financial institutions. The country is also recognized for its strategic vision, with medium and long-term projects supported by royal foresight. Financial markets are particularly sensitive to stability and clear vision, which are essential for confidence among economic and financial stakeholders. Morocco's strong position within frontier market indices is due to the capitalization of the Casablanca Stock Exchange, the quality of its financial governance, the presence of major banking, industrial, and telecommunications companies, and the trust placed by international investors. Casablanca Finance City has also become a leading African hub, strengthening its role as a gateway between Africa and global markets, as per the Global Financial Centres Index. This development is part of a two-decade strateg
The Ministry of Interior announced that the results of deliberations by administrative commissions regarding the review of general electoral lists for the legislative elections on September 23 have been deposited on Monday, June 22. These results follow meetings held from June 15 to 21 by administrative commissions across all communes and districts, presided over by magistrates. The work involved examining new registration requests, transfer requests, legal removals, and corrections of material errors in the electoral lists. Concerned citizens can consult these results from June 22 to June 28 at local administrative authority offices and commune/district services during official working hours. The data is also available online at www.listeselectorales.ma during the same period. The Ministry of Interior reminds that individuals whose registration or transfer requests were rejected, or who believe they were illegally removed from the electoral list, have the right to appeal to the competent court. This appeal process must be initiated between June 22 and June 28, 2026. In accordance with current legislative provisions, administrative commissions will finalize the general electoral lists on July 10, 2026, ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for September 23.