馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
IFC and Arrawaj sign $15 million senior loan to boost Moroccan microfinance
via Le Matin2 min read
The International Finance Corporation IFC has approved and signed a $15 million senior loan with the Arrawaj Foundation for Inclusive Finance, Morocco's third-largest microcredit association. This financing, awaiting disbursement, has a maximum maturity of five years with a one-year grace period and can be denominated in US dollars, euros, or Moroccan dirham equivalent. Funded through the IFC's MSME Finance platform, the loan will be exclusively used to provide credit to micro and small enterprises across Morocco. The IFC's strategy prioritizes very small enterprises and women entrepreneurs, aiming to help Arrawaj expand its reach in these segments, particularly given the regulatory changes and the significant barriers women face in accessing finance. The IFC's involvement offers two key benefits: risk management, by diversifying Arrawaj's funding sources, and knowledge transfer, through a technical assistance program covering product development, risk management, internal skills, and strategic planning. This program is designed to prepare Arrawaj for its expansion into the very small enterprise segment and adaptation to the new regulatory framework. Beyond its direct impact on Arrawaj and its clients, the IFC anticipates positive effects on the broader Moroccan microfinance sector, including enhanced market discipline, a wider range of financial products, and improved overall sector efficiency. Founded in 1996 as "Fondep," Arrawaj is a leading microfinance institution in Mor
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Morocco's National Electricity Regulatory Authority ANRE has chosen Deloitte Finance to provide technical assistance for a tariff reform, with a contract valued at 3.9 million dirhams. This initiative is crucial for the future of the Moroccan electricity sector, aiming for new tariffs to be implemented by March 1, 2027. The reform seeks to ensure the long-term viability of public electricity services through clear, predictable tariffs, incentivize economic efficiency by reflecting real costs, and create a stable framework to attract investors in electrical infrastructure. It also aims to harmonize tariff approaches and identify mechanisms to leverage network flexibility and energy storage systems. Deloitte Finance will review methodologies and levels for five components of the national tariff system, including the National Electricity Transmission Network Use Tariff TURT and the remuneration of system services TSS. The mission will span ten months, divided into four phases: a one-month framing phase, a two-month diagnostic phase, a four-month phase for defining methodological approaches, and a three-month final phase for tariff calculation. This tariff reform is part of a broader vision for ANRE to become a regulatory authority for the entire energy sector, including natural gas and hydrogen, with the new electricity tariff system serving as a methodological and regulatory reference for other energy sectors.
Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its solidarity with Morocco following an operation by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations BCIJ. This operation successfully thwarted terrorist plots attributed to extremists supported by the Sahel branch of the "Daech" organization. Kuwait condemned these plots, which aimed to undermine the security, stability, and safety of citizens and residents in the Kingdom. The Kuwaiti diplomacy reaffirmed its support for all measures taken by Moroccan authorities to protect the country's security, sovereignty, and stability.
Must ReadThe United Arab Emirates has condemned the terrorist plots thwarted in Morocco. In a statement, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the UAE's full solidarity with Morocco and its support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to preserve its security, stability, and the protection of its citizens and residents. The Emirati official also commended the vigilance and effectiveness of the Moroccan security services, which foiled these terrorist plans before they could be executed. The UAE reiterated its categorical rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism, emphasizing the importance of strengthening regional and international cooperation to confront these threats. This condemnation follows an announcement by Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations BCIJ that it had thwarted advanced terrorist plans, based on precise information from the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance DGST, involving extremists operating with logistical and operational support from the Sahel branch of the "Daesh" organization.