Go Siyaha Expands Access to Boost Tourism Entrepreneurship in Morocco
These changes are designed to encourage investment, foster innovation, and generate new jobs in the sector. The new eligibility conditions will take effect starting Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
According to the ministry, Go Siyaha has already supported 1,000 projects to date. With growing interest among young entrepreneurs and untapped potential in tourism, the program is now being adapted to meet the evolving needs of project holders.
Key changes to the program The minimum investment threshold has been removed.
One of the most significant updates is the removal of the minimum investment requirement of MAD 1 million. This change allows smaller projects, often led by young or first-time entrepreneurs, to qualify for funding and support.
It also opens the door to a wider range of initiatives, including local cooperatives, guesthouses with cultural experiences, and community-based activity centers.
2. Investment support is now available for existing businesses.
Previously, only newly established companies could apply for investment support under Go Siyaha.
With this update, existing tourism businesses that are launching new entertainment or activity-based services will also be eligible.
The ministry noted that this expansion will help leverage the experience of established businesses and speed up the development of high-potential projects.
3. Technical assistance now offered from start for new businesses.
The program's technical assistance component, which was once limited to operational businesses, will now be made available from the very beginning of the project.
New entrepreneurs will receive help with structuring their ideas, preparing funding applications, and building a solid foundation for their launch.
This aims to address the common hurdles faced by newcomers and help them get off the ground faster.
'These improvements reflect our commitment to staying aligned with the real needs of tourism entrepreneurs,' said Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, according to MAP.
She added that the changes are designed to allow more Moroccan talent to develop creative, regionally tailored tourism projects.
The updated Go Siyaha program is part of the national tourism roadmap for 2023–2026. It aims to support 1,700 tourism businesses by 2026, focusing especially on developing tourism-related entertainment and diversifying Morocco's overall tourism offering.
Through this more flexible and inclusive approach, the government hopes to create lasting impact within the tourism sector, stimulate innovation, and encourage investment at all levels. Tags: entrepreneurshipGo SiyahaTourism
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
4 hours ago
- Morocco World
West Ham and Wolves in race for Amine Adli
West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are both interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen forward Amine Adli this summer. The 25-year-old Morocco international, who is keen on a move to England, is valued at around £23m ($30.9m) by the Bundesliga side. Adli won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with Leverkusen in 2023-24, contributing 10 goals and 12 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. However, his 2024/25 campaign was hampered by a broken fibula, which sidelined him for over three months. He returned in January but managed only two goals and two assists. French football journalist Julien Laurens reported: 'I'm told that Amine Adli is attracting interest from Premier League clubs. Wolves and West Ham are keen on the Bayer Leverkusen forward. He is keen on a move to England. His valuation is around £23m.' West Ham are looking to bolster their attack after selling Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur for £55m ($73m). Wolves, who recently sold Matheus Cunha to Manchester United for £62.5m ($84m), are also in the market for a versatile forward. Adli, who has 23 goals and 24 assists in 142 games for Bayer Leverkusen, can operate across the front line and in midfield. He moved from Toulouse to Germany in 2021. Xabi Alonso praised the Moroccan during his time in charge at Leverkusen, saying: 'Amine shows hunger, intensity and he has that quality. If he can combine the lot consistently, we'll see what a good player he can be.' Leverkusen's sporting director Simon Rolfes added: 'Amine's very fast, has good technique, is extremely agile and skilful.' Both Premier League sides are monitoring the situation closely. While Wolves have struggled to compete financially this window, they are reportedly willing to allocate funds to sign Adli. West Ham, meanwhile, are yet to make an attacking addition to their senior squad. Adli, capped 15 times by Morocco, is under contract until June 2026. Tags: Amine adliAtlas LionsMoroccowest hamWolverhampton
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Morocco's Banks See Drop in Bad Loans Despite Rising Provisions
Rabat — Morocco's central bank, Bank Al Maghrib (BAM), has reported that non-performing loans at the country's banks fell 2.7% to MAD 97.4 billion ($ 10.86 billion) in 2024. According to the central bank's latest annual banking supervision report, this level represents a loss rate of 8.4%, indicating an improvement of 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous year. The analysis by risk level reveals varying trends across different loan categories. Banks classified 6.5 billion dirhams in loans as 'under surveillance,' marking a 4.1% increase from 2023. Meanwhile, doubtful debts decreased by 1.7% to MAD 8.7 billion ($970.136 million). However, the central bank confirmed that bad debts rose 3.1% to reach MAD 82.2 billion ($ 9.16 billion), representing the largest portion of troubled loans. The distribution shows bad debts dominate at 84% of all non-performing loans, followed by doubtful debts at 9% and loans under surveillance at 7%. Provisions to cover non-performing loans increased 4.6%, which improved the coverage rate by two percentage points to 69% year-over-year. The coverage rate varies significantly by loan type: 76% for bad debts, 45% for doubtful debts, and 11% for loans under surveillance. Banks also set aside MAD 17.1 billion ($ 1.9 billion) in general provisions to cover sensitive loans, representing 1.6% of healthy loans. On a consolidated basis, non-performing loans held by customers of 11 banking groups totaled MAD 134.6 billion ($ 15 billion), up 2% compared to the end of 2023. When accounting for loan growth, the risk rate improved by 0.2 percentage points to 9%. These 11 banking groups increased their provisions by approximately 5% to around 93 billion dirhams, following a 2.6% increase the year before. This resulted in a coverage rate increase of two percentage points to 69%, up from 67% in 2023. Foreign operations show better performance Non-performing loans carried by foreign bank branches, particularly in other parts of Africa, totaled MAD 16.1 billion ($ 1.79 billion). The risk rate for these operations decreased 0.1 percentage point to 7.2%. The coverage rate for these debts improved 1.3 percentage points to 82.4%, up from 81.1% in 2023. Banking groups also allocated provisions to cover sensitive loans that meet IFRS 9 accounting standards at an average rate of 16.9%. They covered healthy loans showing no signs of weakness with preventive provisions representing 0.8% of their total outstanding amounts. Household debt shows concerning trends For households, non-performing loans held by banks and financing companies rose 6.7% after increasing 6.4% the previous year, reaching 44.6 billion ($ 4.97 billion). This led to an increase in the risk rate of 0.3 percentage points to 10.5%. This development reflects a 0.3 percentage point increase to 10.6% for resident households and an improvement of 0.6 percentage points to 7.1% for non-resident households. The coverage rate for these debts reached 64%. Corporate sector performance varies by industry Non-performing loans held by non-financial companies increased 0.7% to 70.1 billion ($ 7.81 billion), but the risk rate declined to 11.1% during 2024. Provisions cover 73% of these debts. The construction and public works sector saw a slight decrease in bad loans (down 0.8%) with a risk rate of 13.7%. The trade sector experienced growth in bad debts (up 4.3%) with an increase in the loss rate to 15.7%, making it one of the higher-risk sectors in Morocco's banking system. Tags: Bad loansMorocco's banking sectornon-performing loans
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
ANRT: Maroc Telecom, Inwi and Orange Obtain 5G Licenses for MAD 2.1 Billion
Marrakech – The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) announced on Friday that Morocco's three telecom operators have been granted 5G licenses following a competitive bidding process launched on July 11. According to an official press release by the regulator, Itissalat Al-Maghrib (Maroc Telecom), Wana Corporate (Inwi), and Médi Telecom (Orange) secured the licenses for a total of MAD 2.1 billion ($210 million), with varying financial contributions based on bandwidth allocation. Maroc Telecom paid MAD 900 million ($90 million) for 120 MHz of bandwidth, while Inwi and Orange each paid MAD 600 million ($60 million) for 70 MHz. The minimum reserve price for each 5G license was set at MAD 600 million ($60 million) corresponding to 70 MHz. Eventually, all three operators will have access to the same bandwidth of 120 MHz by utilizing frequency bands released for 5G development. The licenses will be valid for 20 years and are renewable. Coverage targets were initially set at eight cities and their airports by November 2025, 25% of the Moroccan population by the end of 2026, and 70% by the end of 2030. However, these objectives were revised upward during the ANRT Board meeting chaired by the Head of Government. The operators have committed to more ambitious coverage targets, with plans to reach 45% by the end of 2026 and 85% by the end of 2030. During the board meeting, ANRT Director General Azlarab Hassibi stated that 5G technology will be implemented through global investments of MAD 80 billion ($8 billion) spread over the coming years. This investment will fund the deployment through 2035. Read also: Maroc Telecom, Inwi Announce MAD 4.4 Billion Investment to Boost Home Fiber, 5G Deployment In the evaluation process, Maroc Telecom received a score of 87, Orange scored 85, and Inwi received 87. According to the instruction report, each bidder's offer exceeded the minimum requirements specified in the call for competition and complied with cybersecurity-related requirements. Operators will initially deploy 5G-NSA (Non-Standalone), with the deployment of 5G-SA (Standalone), or full 5G, beginning two years after the initial launch. For comparison, the 4G licenses granted in 2015 cost operators a total of MAD 2 billion ($200 million): MAD 1 billion ($100 million) for Maroc Telecom, MAD 503 million ($50.3 million) for Inwi, and MAD 500 million ($50 million) for Orange. The cost of 5G licenses is therefore only 20% higher than that of 4G. This strategic choice aims to allow operators to invest in this new generation of network while ensuring acceptable profitability. The deployment of 4G networks has enabled significant development in mobile communications over the past decade. According to ANRT figures, internet penetration is approaching 105% as of June, network coverage exceeds 99% of the Moroccan population, and the penetration rate of 4G smartphones in Morocco is approximately 80%. The development of 4G has also led to important reductions in mobile data tariffs. The main terms of the 5G licenses include national coverage, specific commitments regarding cybersecurity, service security, and continuity. Regular cybersecurity audits will be conducted in accordance with best practices. Future license holders will have access to 50-100 MHz in the 3 GHz frequency band and 2×10 MHz in the 700 MHz frequency band. Each interested assignee will have to financially contribute to the reorganization of the concerned frequency bands, with this contribution set at MAD 60 million ($6 million) per license.
