🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Moroccan SMEs face challenges in expanding export activities
via Le Matin7 min read
Only 6,000 Moroccan companies currently export, a figure highlighted at the second edition of the SME Forum organized by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises CGEM. The event focused on the need for Morocco to not only increase export volumes but also to enable more companies, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises SMEs, to engage in international trade. Public officials, business leaders, and support organizations are working to connect SMEs with international markets by addressing existing barriers. Chakib Alj, president of the CGEM, emphasized that the challenge extends beyond export volumes to increasing the number of companies capable of internationalization. He noted that export is often perceived as complex, costly, and reserved for large groups, calling for this "glass ceiling" to be broken. Real obstacles include lack of information, limited market knowledge, difficulty accessing contacts, unfamiliarity with support mechanisms, fear of procedures, and challenges in financing prospecting and securing operations. The CGEM aims to use the SME Forum to connect businesses with available tools, institutional support, and successful experiences. Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate for Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies, stressed that internationalization requires a clear framework and effective public support. He views export not just as a commercial endeavor but as a commitment to producing better, enhancing reliability, and meeting
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
A new report, the 2026 Labor Force Survey from the HCP, reveals that the Moroccan labor market experiences greater pressure than its 10.8% unemployment rate suggests. The survey indicates that a substantial 22.5% of the workforce is underutilized, a figure that encompasses not only the unemployed but also those who are underemployed and inactive.
Stellantis has launched a new circular economy center in Casablanca. The announcement was made on May 5, 2026, by Le Matin.ma. This initiative aims to promote sustainable practices within the automotive industry.
Morocco's Ministry of Health and Social Protection and AstraZeneca have signed a strategic agreement during the GITEX Future Health Africa - Morocco exhibition. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation in critical areas such as chronic disease screening, the development of digital solutions incorporating artificial intelligence, and the use of real-world data to improve medical decision-making. The agreement also includes strengthening the skills of healthcare professionals and expanding the "Heart Health in Africa" initiative, which focuses on cardiovascular and renal disease management. This collaboration supports Morocco's goal of consolidating its health sovereignty and developing its research and innovation capabilities. Minister Amine Tehraoui noted that Morocco is undergoing a significant transformation of its healthcare system under the Royal Project for the generalization of social protection and universal health coverage. Rami Scandar, AstraZeneca's President for the Middle East and North Africa region, affirmed the group's long-term commitment to Morocco through support for initiatives based on scientific innovation, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence.
Stellantis began 2026 with significantly improved indicators, achieving 38.1 billion euros in revenue, a 6% increase, and returning to a net profit of 0.4 billion euros. This marks a gradual return to profitability after a challenging 2025. The current operating income reached 1 billion euros, with a 2.5% margin, showing notable year-over-year progress driven by improved industrial execution and cost management. Industrial free cash flow remained negative at -1.9 billion euros, partly due to Q1 seasonality and exceptional charges from 2025, but the deficit was reduced by 37%. Stellantis strengthened its financial fundamentals by issuing 5 billion euros in hybrid notes, increasing liquidity to 44.1 billion euros, which is 28% of annual revenue. Commercial performance was generally positive, with North America leading with 6% sales growth, particularly for the Ram brand. Europe also progressed, supported by a diverse offering of thermal, hybrid, and electric powertrains, and maintained leadership in commercial vehicles. South America held its dominant position despite market share erosion, while Asia-Pacific saw a slight decline. The Middle East and Africa region showed resilience with stable sales and improved relative performance in a declining market. Stellantis is focusing on improving quality, production, and customer experience, with new models launched last year contributing to volume increases. The company plans to launch 10 new vehicles and six restyled models in 2026,