Rabat – Morocco’s handicraft sector reached a milestone in 2025, with exports climbing to MAD 1.232 billion ($130 million), government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas announced Thursday.
The growth is striking compared with 2019, when exports totaled MAD 792 million ($84.13 million). The US leads as the largest buyer, taking nearly half of all exports at 49%, followed by France at 10.5%.
The sector sustains a substantial portion of the workforce, providing jobs for 20% of active workers, with women representing 54% of artisans.
Its economic footprint extends far beyond employment, contributing 7% to Morocco’s GDP, 7.6% to total exports, and 10% to tourism revenues.
For younger graduates, the industry offers tangible opportunities. Recent figures show 85% of graduates entering the sector secure stable employment.
Baitas said that state support, particularly through health coverage and social programs, has improved working conditions and created a stable environment for production.
This comes following Morocco’s recent signing of three partnership agreements in Rabat to support and modernize the country’s handicraft sector.
Lahcen Saadi, the State Secretary in charge of Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, signed the agreements alongside key institutional partners.
The initiative forms part of the ongoing implementation of a framework agreement from February 13, 2025, designed to assist regional Chambers of Handicrafts and their federation and reinforce the sector’s development and coordination nationwide.