The World Bank has identified four priority sectors that could help Morocco unlock private investment, boost exports and decarbonize its economy, offering a concrete roadmap to address the country’s persistent investment gap.
In its analysis, the World Bank highlights decentralized solar energy, low‑carbon textiles, value‑added argan products and marine aquaculture as key drivers capable of reshaping Morocco’s productive model.
Combined, the four sectors could mobilize an estimated $7.4 billion in private investment and generate more than 166,000 jobs in the medium term.
However, the Bank warned that the potential gains hinge on the removal of regulatory and institutional bottlenecks that continue to weigh on private sector dynamism.
Decentralized solar power was identified as the most strategic lever, not only for energy production but also for industrial competitiveness, as European clients tighten carbon requirements along their supply chains.
While Morocco benefits from abundant solar resources, the sector remains constrained by regulatory uncertainty surrounding grid access, storage and network connections.
A major obstacle remains a cap limiting distributors to sourcing a maximum of 40% of their energy from renewables, which the World Bank said has slowed market expansion.
If lifted, decentralized solar could attract nearly $2.9 billion in investment, create 43,500 jobs and avoid 56 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years.
The World Bank said progress is hampered by informal textile waste streams and regulatory ambiguity over production offcuts, limiting the sector’s ability to scale up into a fully industrial, low‑carbon ecosystem.
Argan processing represents a third opportunity. Morocco holds a near‑global monopoly on argan resources, yet 93% of its argan oil exports remain unprocessed, leaving most value‑added abroad.
The Bank said shifting toward certified natural cosmetics could combine export growth with rural inclusion and female employment in producing regions.
Investment potential in the sector could reach $600 million, generating almost 17,700 jobs, provided challenges linked to traceability, rigid sanitary procedures and weak enforcement of environmental, social and governance standards are addressed.
Marine aquaculture was identified as the sector with the largest employment potential, with up to 75,000 jobs and nearly $2 billion in investment. Despite the designation of suitable coastal zones, production remains limited due to administrative fragmentation, land uncertainty and high feed costs.
