Rabat, Morocco, 11 June 2026 – A high-level event held today in Rabat to mark the International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) highlighted the important role remittances play in supporting families, strengthening economic resilience and promoting financial inclusion in Morocco. The event also explored how policies, partnerships and financial services can help enhance the contribution of remittances to rural resilience, entrepreneurship and employment.
Morocco is among the leading remittance-receiving countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. According to the Office des Changes, remittance inflows reached approximately MAD 122 billion in 2025 (around USD 13 billion) and have stood at around 8 percent of GDP over the past three years. These flows represent a vital source of income for millions of households and contribute significantly to economic stability. Yet important challenges remain, particularly in rural areas, where access to financial services is more limited and many households remain underserved. Unlocking greater opportunities for financial inclusion, savings, investment and economic participation among remittance-receiving households remains an important priority, particularly as rural communities face recurring droughts, water scarcity and increasing climate variability.
Against this backdrop, the event brought together government representatives, financial institutions, development partners, payment service providers, private sector actors, civil society organizations and members of the Moroccan diaspora to exchange experiences and identify practical actions to strengthen remittance ecosystems to expand financial inclusion, bolster household resilience and enhance the development impact of remittances. These actions include harnessing digital and innovative financial tools; linking remittances to savings, investment, and entrepreneurship; strengthening financial education and women’s economic participation; and building partnerships to reduce transfer costs in line with Sustainable Development Goal 10.c.
The event was organized by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), together with the Embassy of France to the Kingdom of Morocco, Bank Al-Maghrib, the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, and the Delegation of the European Union to the Kingdom of Morocco.
Observed globally each year on 16 June, the International Day of Family Remittances was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize the contribution of migrant workers and diaspora communities to sustainable development worldwide. The 2026 campaign, supported within the framework of the French Presidency of the G7, is being observed under the theme “Remittances for Rural Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Employment”.
Quotes from principals
“Family remittances are more than just financial flows. They are investments in resilience, dignity and opportunity. Across Morocco’s rural areas, remittances help families withstand economic and climate-related vulnerabilities while supporting livelihoods, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, investment and local development,” said Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, IFAD Country Director for Morocco. “Through initiatives such as DigitRemit Morocco, IFAD is committed to working alongside national and international partners to strengthen the developmental impact of remittances through digitalization, financial inclusion and innovation.”
“France and Morocco share exceptional human, social and economic ties, reflected in particular in one of the largest volumes of remittance flows in the region. France is the leading country of origin for remittances sent to Morocco, accounting for around 31 per cent of the total flows received by the country, representing more than EUR 3.3 billion per year,” said Charles Thépaut, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of France to the Kingdom of Morocco. “These financial flows illustrate the strength of the Franco-Moroccan social fabric and are also a powerful expression of solidarity within Franco–Moroccan families. They contribute directly to household resilience, economic inclusion and local development. France considers bilateral and multilateral dialogue on this matter essential to framing these flows as tools for solidarity-based investment, strengthening the developmental impact of remittances and, in particular, promoting the opportunities available to women and young people in rural territories.”
“At a time when the resilience of populations, climate change and food security are increasingly inseparable, migrant remittances call for in-depth and ongoing dialogue on the transformations that can make them a lever for economic and social development. In this regard, greater efforts must be made to ensure that these resources contribute more to productive investment and foster the emergence of sustainable economic projects, particularly in rural areas,” said Abderrahim Bouazza, Director General of Bank Al-Maghrib.
“In line with the ambitions of the Generation Green 2020–2030 strategy, which places human capital at the heart of agricultural and rural development, remittances from Moroccans residing abroad represent much more than support to households. When directed towards productive investment, they constitute an important complementary lever for creating value, promoting entrepreneurship and generating sustainable jobs, particularly for young people and women in rural areas,” said Redouane Arrach, Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests.
“The European Union is proud to cooperate with Morocco and its institutional partners in promoting innovative and inclusive solutions to enhance the positive impact of remittances from Moroccans residing abroad on local development, women’s empowerment and opportunities for young people, through the ongoing DigitRemit programme,” said Daniele Dotto, Deputy Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Morocco. “Strengthening digital financial inclusion and promoting inclusive economic opportunities remain at the heart of the partnership between the European Union and Morocco.”
Media contacts
- IFAD: Adam Mohamed | [email protected] | +20 1099 67 9990
- Embassy of France to the Kingdom of Morocco: Noemi Attia | [email protected]
- Bank Al-Maghrib: Nouaim Sqalli | [email protected] | 00212666208246
- Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests: Mme Nada Dahani | [email protected] | +212657832127
- Delegation of the European Union to Morocco: [email protected]
Press release No.: IFAD/40/2026
About IFAD
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is the only international financial institution exclusively focused on transforming rural economies. IFAD invests in rural people and their communities, building food security, shared prosperity and stability. Today, IFAD and its partners have nearly US$23 billion invested in ongoing projects that are transforming rural economies.
A wide range of high-quality photographs and broadcast-quality video content of IFAD’s work in rural communities are available for download from our DigiHub.
About the International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR)
The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) recognizes the contribution of the more than 200 million migrant workers who support over 800 million family members worldwide through financial transfers, knowledge and solidarity. Celebrated globally every year on 16 June, the campaign highlights the critical role of remittances towards sustainable development.
