Marrakech – On the sidelines of GITEX Africa Morocco 2026, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and We4She announced the launch of a new program aimed at accelerating gender inclusion across Morocco’s most strategic and future-oriented industries.
Unveiled during the “Women Shaping the Future Economy” conference, the initiative introduces an official Call for Expressions of Interest (AMI) designed to support Moroccan companies in embedding gender equality into their core business strategies.
The program is part of the broader INEFF project, implemented by GIZ in partnership with Morocco’s Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, alongside We4She.
At a time when Morocco is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digitalization, energy transition, and industrial upgrading, the initiative positions women’s economic inclusion as a critical lever for national competitiveness.
The program will select a first cohort of companies operating in these high-growth sectors and provide them with structured support to design and implement impactful gender equality strategies.
Selected companies will benefit from a comprehensive package, including an in-depth diagnostic of their current practices, tailored operational support, and financial assistance of up to MAD 250,000 ($ 26,867).
These funds can be used for concrete measures such as training programs, internal policy reforms, and workplace solutions like company childcare facilities, initiatives designed not only to attract female talent but to retain it over the long term.
The launch also marks the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GIZ and We4She, formalizing a strategic partnership to accelerate gender equality in Morocco’s economy.
Through this collaboration, both organizations aim to drive systemic change, supporting businesses, raising awareness among economic stakeholders, and fostering a more inclusive ecosystem.
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, Soumaya Benjelloun, President of We4She and CEO of Burintel, emphasized the urgency of addressing the disconnect between education and employment for women in Morocco.
“We are here today to sign a structuring partnership with GIZ around women’s work in the jobs of the future, particularly in tech,” she said, highlighting that while “50% of engineering graduates in Morocco are women, we unfortunately do not find these female talents in the job market.”
She pointed to a critical challenge: female employment in Morocco remains below 20%, one of the lowest rates in the MENA region.
“It is imperative today to put women and female talent back at the center of the equation,” she stated.
“Attracting women is one thing, but being able to retain them is another.”
Benjelloun stressed that retention requires structural changes within companies, including greater workplace flexibility and support systems such as childcare.
“We have observed that many women enter the workforce after graduation, but often leave after their first child. These are talents we lose,” she explained.
“We want to bring women back into companies and create the healthiest and most flexible conditions for them to stay and contribute to Morocco’s growth.”
She concluded with a clear economic argument, “Women are a driver of the economy. A country that operates without 50% of its talent is simply limiting its performance.”
By combining financial incentives, corporate transformation tools, and high-level advocacy, the GIZ, We4She initiative signals a shift from dialogue to action, anchoring gender inclusion as a strategic priority for Morocco’s future economy.
