World Bank Approves $70M for Reinforcing Morocco’s Social Protection Reforms
The Bank’s Board of Directors has approved the project worth US$70 million. Morocco Second Identity and Targeting for Social Protection Project, consolidating Morocco’s ongoing social protection reforms. Based on the successes of the first step the new project is designed to accelerate the development of Morocco’s social protection system and ensure greater targeting, participation of services and accessibility particularly for households with low incomes.
Morocco’s efforts to create an open and inclusive system of social protection has gained momentum since the year 2018 when it received an order from King Mohammed VI of Morocco to create a more unified and effective system. The legal and practical modifications created an National Population Registry (NPR) as well as the Unified Social Registry (USR) in order to establish a single method of social aid. This process of reform accelerated after the COVID-19 epidemic, which led to crucial milestones like the change from RAMED to AMO-TADAMON, a health insurance. It now covers many millions of Moroccans.
At the close of 2023 by the end of 2023, by the end of 2023, the Direct Social Benefit Program was introduced, which covered more than 50 percent of the population and boasting the budget for each year being approximately 1.6 percent of the country’s GDP. This is a sign of Morocco’s dedication to ensuring that its social security programs are accessible, inclusive and targeted at people who are most vulnerable.
Focus of the Second Project
The project that was recently approved is focusing on three major parts:
Extending the National Population Registry and Strengthening the National Register Agency
The expansion of coverage extends to areas that are rural or underserved.
Enhancing authentication and identification systems to provide smoother access to social media services.
The streamlining of digital and remote applications in order to lessen administration burdens.
Enhancing the Unified Social Registry
Enhancing the integration of data and monitoring in real time for better targeting people at risk.
Making sure that the registry systems provide a stable gateway to various social applications.
Capacity Building and Monitoring
Helping to ensure solid project management as well as training for stakeholder.
Utilizing the latest digital technology to improve decisions based on evidence.
Digital Transformation: A Key Goal
This project focuses on digital transformation as a method to enhance and modernize the delivery of social services. In 2024, at a minimum five social programs will be expected to make use of these upgraded technology, and plans are to increase this number up to eight before 2028. The systems also will play a an important role in dealing with social and economic challenges resulting from the climate change. They will also provide timely assistance to the affected population.
Enhanced Targeting for Vulnerable Populations
In reducing paperwork and increasing access, the program hopes to provide better services for people living in remote and rural areas of Morocco. These updated registrations will guarantee precise targeting and help those in need to access health education, educational, and social security benefits.
World Bank’s Commitment
“The World Bank had confirmed to continue supporting the expansion of registries and their efficiency for better targeting and inclusion purposes,” declared Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, the World Bank’s Country Director in the Maghreb as well as Malta. “This digitalization effort makes sure that Morocco’s most persons gain free access to modernized social services, leveraging data and advanced digital technologies. ”
A Vision for the Future
Through strengthening the social protection environment, Morocco is positioning itself as a global leader in an inclusive, flexible, and a technology-driven growth. The project demonstrates the country’s dedication to an equitable economy and social resilience. This project is laying the foundations for more advancement and investment in the human development.