Cooperative Sector: Over 24,500 Additional Jobs by the End of November

The Board of Directors of the Office for the Development of Cooperation (ODCO) met in Rabat under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State to the Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and the Social and Solidarity Economy, in charge of Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Lahcen Saadi.

On this occasion, Mr. Saadi emphasized that the cooperative sector today constitutes a concrete response to the challenges of employment and economic inclusion, provided it relies on modern, innovative, and accessible tools capable of enhancing its effectiveness and impact, according to a press release from the Office.

This meeting allowed for a review of the actions undertaken in 2025 and the presentation of the strategic roadmap for 2026-2028. The latter is structured around comprehensive programs aimed at strengthening the impact of the cooperative sector in terms of employment, inclusion, and digital transformation, the same source specifies.

ODCO has implemented an integrated digital system aimed at modernizing and enhancing support for cooperatives.
This deployment is structured around three main levers: a cooperative project bank, presenting viable and innovative projects that take into account the specificities, potential, and needs of regions to serve job creation for women and youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET); a cooperative marketplace supporting the marketing of products from all cooperatives across all sectors; and finally the “TaaWouNYa Academy,” a distance learning platform whose objective is to build the capacities of cooperatives for structured, dynamic, and innovative cooperatives.

Sustainable jobs in favor of women and NEET youth

ODCO places economic inclusion at the heart of its action. By the end of November 2025, the cooperative sector comprises 65,315 cooperatives bringing together 788,969 members, including 272,583 women and 18,036 youth. This dynamic has generated 24,558 additional jobs in one year.

To strengthen the governance of the cooperative sector and address identified dysfunctions, the Office relies on its network of regional delegations.
This proximity action aims to consolidate the credibility and transparency of the sector. To achieve this, the Office is deploying structural measures, including the generalization of online filing starting June 2026 and the establishment of a cooperative scoring system based on performance. Thus, controls will gain in effectiveness and relevance.

It should also be noted that by finalizing its special status in March 2025, ODCO ended the provisional temporary regulation in effect since 1975. This fundamental step allowed it to align its governance framework with the standards of modern public institutions. Following this evolution, and to optimize its effects, the Office undertook a major internal reorganization, leading to the creation of new structures dedicated to supporting cooperatives and promoting employment. This transformation gives the institution a renewed identity, in line with current challenges and increased demands for performance and efficiency.