AFEM Marks 25 Years of Promoting Women’s Entrepreneurship in Morocco

Mohammedia – The Association of Women Business Leaders of Morocco (AFEM) will celebrate its 25th anniversary on December 5, marking a milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen women’s participation in economic development.

The ceremony, to be held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, will bring together national and international actors, partners, and members to honor a quarter-century of advocacy for inclusive growth.

AFEM has become a key player in mobilizing since its establishment in 2000, supporting and amplifying the role of women entrepreneurs across Morocco.

Over the past two decades, the association has worked to improve access to training, financing, and business networks for women, while contributing to national discussions on economic reform and gender inclusion.

The anniversary ceremony will also serve as an opportunity to revisit AFEM’s institutional achievements and highlight its expanding role in shaping a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape.

The 2025 celebration is set under the theme “Leadership and Women’s Entrepreneurship: For an Inclusive Morocco,” reflecting the association’s long-standing mission to strengthen women’s visibility in the economic arena.

Delegations from France, Monaco, and Tunisia are expected to attend, showcasing the association’s international partnerships and growing regional footprint.

The event will feature the AFEM Awards, which will honor women who have made notable contributions to Morocco’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

A commemorative book retracing AFEM’s 25-year history and an institutional film will be unveiled during the ceremony. Artistic performances and a collective exhibition spotlighting creative and business-savvy Moroccan women will accompany the program.

A quarter-century of advocacy and measurable impact

AFEM’s trajectory began as a response to the underrepresentation of women in professional and economic institutions.

A group of businesswomen, some already active in associations and economic bodies, founded the organization to consolidate their efforts and strengthen their presence in national decision-making spaces.

The association’s founder, Saloua Karkri Belkeziz, received Moocco’s Wissam Al Arch (Order of the Throne) medal in 2004 in recognition of her leadership, and AFEM has since participated in official missions abroad, including state visits to China and Latin America.

Despite notable progress over the past two decades, AFEM notes that women remain underrepresented in entrepreneurship. Only 10% of Moroccan entrepreneurs are women, and although 75% express the desire to start a business, 64% do not take concrete steps.

Access to financing is a key challenge, with just 14.6% of women entrepreneurs obtaining bank credit. The country ranks 137th out of 142 globally in gender equality related to labor market participation.

In this context, AFEM continues to expand programs focused on training, mentorship, networking, and advocacy for reforms that support women’s economic inclusion.

Its objectives include increasing the proportion of women entrepreneurs to 35% by 2035, in line with the New Development Model, and strengthening women’s presence in governance and economic leadership roles.

Plans for a dedicated innovation and training center for women entrepreneurs also reflect the association’s forward-looking agenda.

The 25th-anniversary ceremony will bring together members, institutional partners, and international guests to highlight achievements, share success stories, and reaffirm commitments to future progress.

A gala dinner, live performances, and a retrospective of AFEM’s major milestones will conclude the event, marking a symbolic chapter in the association’s continued effort to promote women’s entrepreneurship across Morocco.

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