14th AMCCO : Morocco Reaffirms Its Cooperative Commitment in Nairobi
Morocco reaffirms its commitment to cooperative development at the 14ᵗʰ African Ministerial Conference on Cooperation in Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya – October 6–9, 2025 — The Kingdom of Morocco, through the Office of Cooperation Development (ODCO) – under the tutelage of the Secretary of State in charge of Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, affiliated with the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and the Social and Solidarity Economy – is taking part in the 14ᵗʰ Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (AMCCO), organized by the International Cooperative Alliance – Africa (ICA-Africa) under the theme:
“From Commitment to Action: Leveraging Global, Regional and Local Partnerships for Sustainable Cooperative Development in Africa.”
This high-level gathering brings together ministers, policymakers, and leaders of the African cooperative movement to develop common strategies for strengthening cooperatives as key drivers of sustainable development, inclusion, and economic resilience across the continent.
Representing Morocco, Mrs. Aicha Errifaai, General Director of ODCO, is participating in the ministerial round table dedicated to the theme: “Strengthening the National Cooperative Environment in Africa.” This session brings together institutional leaders and policymakers to discuss ways to build inclusive and resilient cooperative ecosystems across the continent.
With its long-standing cooperative tradition, Morocco continues to assert its pioneering role in promoting an innovative and inclusive cooperative economy, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The Moroccan cooperative sector today comprises over 63,000 cooperatives, bringing together more than 778,000 members nationwide. It plays a key role in advancing poverty reduction (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), gender equality (SDG 5), and economic growth and decent work (SDG 8).
Women represent 34% of cooperative members in Morocco, reflecting the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to promote women’s empowerment and economic inclusion through cooperative entrepreneurship. Youth engagement is also a national priority, supported by capacity-building and innovation programs in key sectors such as agriculture, handicrafts, and renewable energy.
Since hosting the 11ᵗʰ Session of the Technical Committee of the African Ministerial Cooperative Committee (TCAMCCO) in Essaouira in May 2025, Morocco has continued to play a leading role in strengthening regional cooperation and promoting South–South collaboration. This dynamic is part of the implementation of the African Union’s 10 years Strategy for the Social and Solidarity Economy (2023–2033), which aims to make this model a strategic driver of inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.
The 14ᵗʰ Africa Ministerial Conference on Cooperatives also coincides with the International Year of Cooperatives, providing a timely opportunity to celebrate cooperative identity and reaffirm Morocco’s commitment to the universal values of democracy, solidarity, and shared prosperity.
“The Moroccan cooperative movement is not only a source of economic vitality but also a reflection of the Kingdom’s vision for an inclusive and sustainable future — in harmony with Africa’s shared aspirations for progress and unity,”
concluded Mrs. Aicha Errifaai.
