Morocco’s significant progress in the social and solidarity economy (ESS) sector garnered prominent attention on Tuesday in Dakar, during the launch of the second African Forum on Social and Solidarity Economy (FORA’ESS Dakar 2026).
During a workshop focused on “Citizen and Social Transition: Performance and Impact Measurement,” Khadija Douiri, a distinguished researcher and lecturer from the Faculty of Economic, Legal, and Social Sciences at Mohammed Premier University in Oujda, underscored the critical role of the social and solidarity economy. She emphasized that ESS is now recognized as a top development priority, not only within Morocco but across various African nations.
Douiri, participating in the Forum as a member of its scientific committee, articulated that the ESS should not be viewed merely as an alternative, but rather as a robust and independent sector. She highlighted its immense potential to drive development, enhance the contributions of economic stakeholders, and significantly boost their participation in the gross domestic product (GDP).
She further elaborated on Morocco’s exemplary journey in this field, noting the Kingdom’s extensive network of cooperatives. These cooperatives are instrumental in generating employment opportunities and creating wealth, particularly flourishing in the Oriental region. Douiri stressed the imperative of continuously nurturing the ESS ecosystem through the concerted efforts and mobilization of all relevant actors.
The Moroccan academic also commended the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to advancing this sector. She pointed to the proactive initiatives undertaken by the department responsible for the Social and Solidarity Economy, in close collaboration with key economic and financial partners.
Representing the Kingdom at this pivotal gathering were also Issam Bousalam and Raouf El Yagoubi, fellow research-professors from Mohammed Premier University in Oujda.
The second edition of FORA’ESS Dakar has convened approximately 250 participants from 33 countries across Africa and beyond. The forum’s overarching theme is “Social and Solidarity Economy: Engine of Transition, Inclusion and Convergence in Africa.”
This edition’s agenda includes several plenary sessions dedicated to key topics such as the African Union’s ten-year strategy for the social and solidarity economy, the pivotal role of local authorities in fostering the sector’s growth, and the mechanisms designed to support its effective implementation.
