Economy Minister: The 2026 Finance Bill Represents a Historic Turning Point for a New Generation of Territorial Development
Nadia Fettah Alaoui, the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Administrative Reform, affirmed that the 2026 Finance Bill signifies a “historic turning point” in the trajectory of Morocco’s economic policies. This will initiate a new generation of local development programs that take local specificities into account and promote principles of advanced regionalization, integration, and solidarity among various regions.
During her response to the general discussions regarding the bill before the Finance and Economic Development Committee in the House of Representatives on Thursday, the minister stated that the national economy has been “growing rapidly for two decades,” highlighting its diversity and resilience in the face of recent global crises.
Fettah Alaoui added, “We are proud of Morocco’s political and institutional stability at a time when even major economies do not know what will happen in six months, while our vision is clear and our path is defined.”
The government official emphasized that the infrastructure projects launched by the Kingdom are a “significant asset” that will continue to be strengthened, but she underscored the necessity for these projects to have tangible economic impacts. She strongly refuted accusations directed at the government regarding “subjugation to the directives of the World Bank,” stressing that “the financial institution previously considered Morocco unqualified to build a strong industry, but thanks to the guidance of His Majesty the King, industry has today become a cornerstone of the national economy.”
The minister also noted that “economic success does not come overnight; it is the result of accumulated efforts. Today, Morocco enjoys significant transparency with its international partners.”
Regarding the tourism sector, Fettah Alaoui highlighted that it “has achieved outstanding results,” with indicators reporting an annual increase of about 20 percent, despite geopolitical tensions. She noted that in 2025, 80 new air routes were launched to enhance the Kingdom’s international connectivity.
She pointed out that the diversity of the Moroccan economy has reinforced its resilience in the face of crises, indicating that foreign investments surged by 44 percent in August of the previous year.
Conversely, the minister acknowledged that the unemployment rate exceeding 12 percent is “far from satisfactory,” considering this issue a challenge and a direct responsibility of the government. She attributed the rise in unemployment to the loss of numerous job opportunities in the agricultural sector between 2019 and 2024 due to consecutive years of drought.
Fettah Alaoui defended the Green Morocco Plan, asserting that Moroccan agriculture has “developed significantly” under this program, where “national markets are now filled with agricultural products, and Morocco is capable of exporting.” However, she simultaneously emphasized that the water issue “remains a structural problem requiring radical and sustainable solutions.”
