Inclusive Finance: Morocco’s Princess Lalla Meryem Meets Queen Máxima

Morocco’s Princess Lalla Meryem received, on Wednesday in Rabat, Queen Máxima Zorreguieta of the Netherlands, UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA).

The visit of Queen Máxima to Morocco is a UN recognition of the progress made by the North African Kingdom in the field of financial inclusion, a key enabler to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During her three-day visit (20-22 March), UNSGSA Queen Máxima met separately with the Head of Govt. Aziz Akhannouch, Economy & finance minister Nadia Fettah, Industry & Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour, Delegate-Minister in charge of Digital Transition & Administration Reform Ghita Mezzour, Central Bank Governor Abdellatif Jouahri and chief of Moroccan Capital Market Authority Nezha Hayat.

 

Talks focused on e-payments, fintech sector development and inclusive green finance. The Special Advocate also met with entrepreneurs and customers and heard their firsthand experiences using various financial services and products.

 

Financial inclusion remains a priority issue in Morocco. In 2021, 44% of adults in the country had access to formal financial services, according to the World Bank Global Findex.

 

Morocco has made important progress in economic development and financial inclusion. Sustained economic growth has contributed to reducing poverty and greater sharing of economic prosperity.

 

Morocco’s financial inclusion is part of a broader strategy seeking to further develop the national banking market, ensure an integrated development of the financial sector, improve access to banking services, promote financial education, competition and consumer protection.