National Day of Moroccans Abroad: A Celebration of Connection
The National Day of Moroccans residing abroad is celebrated on August 10, 2026, under the theme "Moroccans abroad contributing to Morocco's 2030 projects." Established in 2003 by King Mohammed VI, this commemoration serves as a significant occasion to strengthen the bonds between the diaspora and their homeland while looking towards a brighter future.
Engaging the Diaspora in Development
Set against the backdrop of the Marhaba operation, which runs from June 10 to September 15, 2026, the celebrations for the National Day of Moroccans Abroad on August 10 embody a sense of collective identity and a future-oriented vision. This year's festivities are designed to encourage the participation of Moroccans abroad during their summer visits, taking place across various regions. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, the theme resonates with the pace of strategic projects launched by the country towards 2030, focusing on infrastructure development, attracting investments, accelerating digital transition, energy transition, water resource management, and modernizing public services, while also preparing for the 2030 World Cup. This initiative aims to enhance economic, social, and spatial development.
This year's National Day of Moroccans Abroad is not just a celebration but a recognition of the invaluable contributions of Moroccan professionals living abroad across various sectors, including science, economy, technology, and culture. It underscores their involvement in national development projects and highlights their role in supporting strategic initiatives. More importantly, it is a unifying moment that mobilizes qualified talents who play an essential role in fostering entrepreneurship within the country.
As emphasized in the Throne Day speech delivered on July 29 by King Mohammed VI, there is a call to mobilize national savings and revitalize financial markets, which are crucial for the next phase of economic development. The participation of Moroccans abroad is an intrinsic part of this framework, where they are recognized as key stakeholders. The diaspora's potential has evolved beyond mere tourist and financial flows to become a genuine reservoir of expertise. With approximately 6 million members across more than 120 countries, the Moroccan community abroad includes over 500,000 highly qualified individuals (holding degrees equivalent to Bac+5 or higher), according to the OECD.
This human capital has garnered the attention of public authorities, who aim to network these talents across various fields and modernize the incentive ecosystem for investment and entrepreneurship to encourage diaspora engagement.
In collaboration with Tamwilcom, the MDM Invest fund is a flagship mechanism of this modernization, offering an investment incentive equivalent to 10% of the total amount for the creation or expansion of businesses. It particularly supports "future sectors," beginning with digital, education, and tourism, and is backed by the new MDM Tamwil fund in addition to traditional bank credit. Furthermore, the 13th region MeM platform by CGEM is being developed in partnership with the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), providing a "digital space for networking, information, and tailored guidance for Moroccan entrepreneurs worldwide." In commemorating the National Day of Moroccans Abroad, this year's theme aligns with the spirit of the Throne Day speech, which called for mobilizing available resources in Morocco to promote investment while reinforcing the achievements that can enhance economic sovereignty through national financial resources.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
