Dakar, Senegal – Morocco’s successful approach to the social and solidarity economy (ESS) took center stage on Tuesday in Dakar, during the opening of the second African Forum on Social and Solidarity Economy (FORA’ESS Dakar 2026).
During a workshop titled “Citizen and Social Transition: Performance and Impact Measurement,” Khadija Douiri, a distinguished teacher-researcher from the Faculty of Economic, Legal and Social Sciences at Mohammed Premier University of Oujda, emphasized the critical role of the social and solidarity economy. She highlighted that ESS is now recognized as a top development priority, not only in Morocco but across various African nations.
Ms. Douiri, who is also a member of the Forum’s scientific committee, underscored that ESS is far from being a mere alternative; rather, it stands as a robust sector capable of driving significant development. It serves as a foundation for boosting the contributions of economic actors and enhancing their participation in the national gross domestic product (GDP).
She further elaborated on Morocco’s exemplary journey in this field, noting the Kingdom’s extensive network of cooperatives. These cooperatives are instrumental in creating employment opportunities and generating wealth, particularly within the Oriental region. Ms. Douiri stressed the ongoing need to cultivate the ESS ecosystem through the concerted efforts and mobilization of all relevant stakeholders.
The Moroccan academic also commended the Kingdom’s dedicated endeavors to advance this sector. These efforts are spearheaded by the department responsible for the Social and Solidarity Economy, working in close collaboration with key economic and financial partners.
The Moroccan delegation participating in this significant gathering also includes Issam Bousalam and Raouf El Yagoubi, both esteemed teacher-researchers from Mohammed Premier University of Oujda.
The second edition of FORA’ESS Dakar has drawn approximately 250 participants from 33 countries across Africa and beyond. The forum’s overarching theme is “Social and Solidarity Economy: engine of transition, inclusion and convergence in Africa.”
The agenda for this edition features several plenary sessions. These sessions are specifically dedicated to discussing the African Union’s ten-year strategy for the social and solidarity economy, exploring the vital role of local authorities in fostering this sector’s growth, and examining mechanisms designed to support its effective implementation.
