The Office of Cooperation Development (ODCO) held its Board of Directors meeting on Monday, December 23, 2024, chaired by Mr. Lahcen Saady, the Secretary of State in charge of Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy. This significant event marked a pivotal moment for the development of cooperatives in Morocco.

During the meeting, the Secretary of State emphasized the critical role of cooperatives as pillars of the social and solidarity economy, a sector that plays a central role in fostering economic inclusion and sustainable development. With more than 60,939 cooperatives comprising 764,000 active members across the Kingdom, including 13% women-led cooperatives, the sector serves as a vital driver for inclusive economic growth. Women, who represent 34% of cooperative members, are at the heart of this dynamic, promoting gender equity and economic empowerment.

Ms. Aicha Errifaai, General Director of ODCO, highlighted that 2024 was marked by the official announcement of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. This initiative was unveiled during the Global Cooperative Conference held from November 25 to 29, 2024, in New Delhi, India. The event offers an exceptional opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of cooperatives on social justice, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.

In this context, the Secretary of State stated: “The proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives is global recognition of their key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This is an opportunity for Morocco to set an example by strengthening our efforts for a more resilient and inclusive social economy.”

Morocco is pursuing an ambitious strategy that goes beyond international recognition to achieve a clear national vision. By 2035, the objectives include creating more than 50,000 annual jobs in the social and solidarity economy sector and increasing its contribution to the GDP to 8%.

The Secretary of State called for collective mobilization to transform Moroccan cooperatives into dynamic and innovative players. He stressed their crucial role in wealth creation, social justice, and overall development while placing the social and solidarity economy at the heart of the country’s inclusive and sustainable growth strategy.