Increase in Business Establishments in the Fes-Meknes Region Over the Last Decade
Data from the Fes-Meknes Regional Investment Center indicates a 5% increase in the establishment of businesses in the region between 2015 and 2025.
The same source noted a significant upturn in business creation dynamics in 2021, exceeding 20%, before entering a stabilization phase in 2022. The number of newly established businesses remains above pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the resilience of the regional business fabric.
According to the same data, Fes-Meknes ranks fifth nationally in terms of the number of new businesses, with nearly 6,350 establishments, constituting about 7% of the total businesses created nationwide.
This performance is attributed to an active entrepreneurial base primarily led by very small, small, and medium enterprises, emphasizing the importance of enhancing support for project holders and improving the quality of investment initiatives to bolster the region’s contribution to national entrepreneurial dynamics.
In terms of sectors, the trade sector dominates new businesses, accounting for 36%, followed by construction, public works, and real estate at 22%. Together, these sectors represent over half of the new establishments in the region. Various services constitute 15.2%, while the shares of industry and transport are at 8.3% and 6.3%, respectively, indicating significant potential for diversifying the regional economic fabric.
Regarding the legal forms of newly established businesses, sole-member limited liability companies (SARL-AU) dominate at 59.1%, followed by regular limited liability companies (SARL) at 40.3%. Other legal forms remain limited, reflecting the individual or small nature of the majority of projects.
Geographically, the city of Fes accounts for around 48% of all new businesses, followed by Meknes at 33%, meaning over 80% of establishments in the region. Other provinces recording lower shares highlight the need to enhance business dynamism outside major urban centers.
