Roundtable on Freedom of Enterprise for Women in Morocco

Casablanca, October 2025

Women’s entrepreneurship in Morocco represents a vital pillar of the country’s evolving economic and social landscape. Despite persistent structural, social, and economic barriers limiting women’s access to resources, financing, and professional networks, recent reforms, public and private support programs, and the emergence of dynamic women’s networks are opening new horizons for female entrepreneurship.

In this context, the Moroccan Section of the International Network of Liberal Women (INLW) organized a roundtable on “Women’s Freedom to ENTERPRISE in Morocco” on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

This event aimed to examine the reality of women’s economic freedom in Morocco from both theoretical and practical perspectives, by showcasing concrete support mechanisms, exploring cooperation opportunities, and fostering partnerships among female leaders to inspire innovative and impactful initiatives.

The roundtable provided a platform for dialogue and exchange among INLW members, women entrepreneurs, institutional partners, and civil society organizations working to promote women’s economic empowerment.

The discussions, opened by a key note speech from the President of INLW, Mrs Khadija El Morabit, featured diverse interventions, offering multiple perspectives on women’s entrepreneurship:

• Entrepreneurship as a Liberal Value – Ms. Loubna Amhair, President of INLW Morocco
• Entrepreneurial Culture – Dr. Khalid Karbouai, University Professor, Consultant, and Trainer in Entrepreneurship and Management
• Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs in Morocco – Ms. Rajae Azmi, Business Leader
• Entrepreneurship and Support Measures – Ms. Houda Bouarir, Regional Director, General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM)
• Encouraging Leadership and Networking – Ms. Jihan Rachadi, Association of Women Business Leaders in Morocco

Through this initiative, INLW Morocco seeks to deepen the national dialogue on the conditions and opportunities for developing women’s entrepreneurship, promote knowledge-sharing, and strengthen connections among female economic actors.

The network’s contribution to advancing women’s financial independence, gender equality, and inclusive economic development represents a significant step toward embedding a culture of women’s entrepreneurship in Morocco’s economic fabric.

Key Recommendations

• Implementing context-appropriate financial, training, and networking mechanisms to support women entrepreneurs;
• Promoting a more inclusive economic dynamic through targeted support and better coordination between education, entrepreneurship, and culture;
• Developing accessible entrepreneurial programs and financial networks for women;
• Strengthening collaboration between local actors and external partners with transparent governance and independent evaluation mechanisms;
• Enhancing regional and local visibility of young talent and women-led initiatives;
• Establishing a supportive legislative and fiscal framework for women’s entrepreneurship, including investment incentives, tax reductions for women-led startups, and simplified administrative procedures;
• Improving coordination among public authorities, professional chambers, and NGOs to harmonize support programs and avoid duplication;
• Creating tailored mentoring and coaching programs with periodic follow-up adapted to each sector (trade, industry, services, culture);
• Launching awareness campaigns promoting equal opportunities and women’s participation in strategic economic sectors;
• Ensuring equitable access to public and private resources, particularly for women in rural or vulnerable situations;
• Promoting entrepreneurial solutions that reinforce local communities, skills, and environmental sustainability;
• Supporting women’s professional networks and exchange spaces (meetings, workshops, residencies) to normalize women’s leadership and provide inspiring role models.