The Policy Center for the New South is pleased to announce the launch of The Oxford Handbook of the Moroccan Economy, a landmark volume edited by Dr. Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President of the Policy Center for the New South, and Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, British Academy Global Professor at SOAS University of London, and published by Oxford University Press in Open Access.

 

Bringing together 53 contributors across 34 chapters, the Handbook offers a comprehensive and long-term perspective on Morocco’s economic trajectory from 1960 to 2025. Conceived as a reference publication, it contributes to renewing the analytical foundations of knowledge on the Moroccan economy by delivering a structured, rigorous, and policy-relevant synthesis of stylized facts, structural trends, sectoral dynamics, and key public policy challenges.

 

Rather than advancing a reform manifesto, the Handbook provides a coherent structural reading of Morocco’s long-term transformation. It situates macroeconomic stability as a foundation for productivity-led upgrading, and assesses external flows, remittances, tourism, FDI, and trade, not merely as buffers, but as structural elements shaping Morocco’s global positioning.

 

Available on the Oxford Academic platform, the volume embodies a commitment to knowledge as a public good, offering policymakers, researchers, students, and international partners a comprehensive and empirically grounded reference on Morocco’s development path and its next strategic horizon.

EXPLORING MOROCCO’S ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE: KEY THEMES & INSIGHTS

The Oxford Handbook of the Moroccan Economy offers a structured, in-depth journey through the country’s economic evolution, combining historical context, policy analysis, and sectoral insights.

 

• Part I. Context and history: Highlights Morocco’s historical evolution, institutional foundations, and political economy. The chapters show how gradual reform, state capacity, and governance dynamics have shaped a development path anchored in stability and resilience.
   
• Part II. Macroeconomy and financing: Explores monetary policy, fiscal management, the external sector, banking, and access to finance. Emphasizes Morocco’s macroeconomic credibility while pointing to the need for deeper financial inclusion and improved SME financing to support higher productivity and investment.
   
• Part III. Economic development: Examines economic diversification, structural transformation, private sector development, trade competitiveness, regional and urban development, and the green transition. Morocco’s shift from traditional sectors toward knowledge-intensive industries and global integration is highlighted, alongside the strategic importance of environmental sustainability.
   
• Part IV. Social development: Focuses on education, health, labour markets, informality, inequality, gender dynamics, and migration. It underlines the critical role of human capital, social inclusion, and equitable growth in supporting sustainable economic transformation.
   
• Part V. Industrialization and services: Analyzes manufacturing, industrial policy, phosphates and fertilizers, automotive, aeronautics, textiles, handicrafts, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, port services, and ICT. Offers lessons on sectoral upgrading, building globally competitive industries, and leveraging technology for economic modernization.

 

OPEN ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE

Whether you are studying Morocco’s industrialization, regional development, labor market dynamics, or environmental policies, this Handbook provides an indispensable reference, situating Morocco’s economic story within global and historical perspectives.

 

This open-access volume is available on Oxford Academic under a Creative Commons license, making high-level economic research accessible to all.

BOOK LAUNCH CONFERENCE

To celebrate the release of The Oxford Handbook of the Moroccan Economy, the Policy Center for the New South will host an exclusive launch event featuring the editors and key contributors.

 

Date & Location: From April 09 to 10 April 2026 at the Policy Center for the New South, Rabat, Morocco

 

This event will bring together Dr. Karim El Aynaoui and Dr. Arkebe Oqubay alongside selected chapter authors to:

• Present the Handbook’s key findings and thematic insights
• Discuss Morocco’s economic transformation and future policy options
• Explore lessons for industrialization, social development, and economic diversification across Africa and the Global South
• Engage with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in a Q&A session

The launch provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from the authors about Morocco’s economic journey, its successes, and ongoing challenges, while connecting with experts shaping the country’s policy and development agenda.

VOICES OF THE HANDBOOK: EXPERT INTERVIEWS

To complement the release of The Oxford Handbook of the Moroccan Economy, we are launching an exclusive series of interviews with the Handbook’s contributors. These conversations will provide readers with a unique opportunity to hear directly from the economists, policy practitioners, and sector specialists behind the research.

 

Through these interviews, the contributors share:

• Their perspectives on Morocco’s economic transformation and structural changes
• Insights on key sectors, from automotive and aeronautics to ICT, tourism, and agriculture
• Reflections on policy challenges, social development, and strategies to navigate the middle-income trap
• Lessons for other African and Global South countries seeking inclusive and sustainable growth

This series aims to bring the Handbook to life, translating complex research into accessible insights for researchers, students, policymakers, and practitioners. Each interview will highlight the experiences, expertise, and vision of the authors who have closely studied Morocco’s economic journey, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the ideas shaping the country’s future.

 

Stay tuned for these in-depth conversations, which will be published on our platform and shared across our networks.

Introducing the Oxford Handbook of the Moroccan Economy

 

Join a conversation with the editors of The Oxford Handbook of the Moroccan Economy, the first comprehensive academic reference on Morocco’s economic trajectory, offering a rigorous and evidence-based analysis of twenty-five years of structural transformation, while bringing together leading experts to examine macroeconomic trends, sectoral dynamics, institutional evolution, key stylized facts, policy lessons, and the future of Morocco’s growth model in a shifting global landscape...Watch

 

 

(AR) Economic History of Morocco

 

This episode traces Morocco’s economic history from 19th-century marginalization under European pressure, through colonial dualism and post-independence state-led development, to 1980s structural adjustments. Recent reforms have strengthened resilience, with agriculture, automobiles, and phosphates driving growth. Yet, Morocco faces new global challenges, requiring a development model focused on social inclusion, innovation, and ecological transition... Watch

 

 

Morocco’s Economic Diplomacy and Development

 

This episode explores Morocco’s economic diplomacy, from 1980s liberalization to its rise in global value chains in automotive and aerospace. Strategic reforms and infrastructure projects have attracted investment and expanded ties across Africa, yet trade deficits linger. While European partners remain central, Morocco is gradually exploring new markets and diversifying its economic footprint, hinting at an ambitious path forward... Watch

 

 

The Health Sector in Morocco

 

This episode delves into Morocco’s healthcare system, tracing strides in maternal and child health, vaccination, and the quest for universal coverage. Morocco’s COVID-19 response, alongside initiatives like TADAMON and telemedicine, showcases innovation and resilience. Yet, gaps remain, especially between urban and rural areas, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring equitable and sustainable healthcare for all... Watch

 

 

(FR) Phosphate and Fertilizer Industry in Morocco

 

This episode dives into Morocco’s phosphate industry, home to 70% of the world’s deposits and driven by the OCP Group. From global leadership in fertilizers to a strategic shift toward Africa, OCP supports agricultural transformation and value addition. Investments in green ammonia, renewables, and technology highlight efforts toward sustainability and energy independence. Through the OCP Foundation, innovation and research at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University further strengthen Morocco’s economic and scientific footprint... Watch

 

 

(FR) Composition and Performance of the Moroccan Manufacturing Sector

 

This episode explores Morocco’s industrial journey since independence, tracing the shift from traditional textiles to high value-added sectors like automotive, aeronautics, and electronics. It examines how these transformations reshape the industrial landscape, highlighting achievements, persistent constraints, and untapped potential. Strategic pathways are proposed to boost competitiveness, diversification, and Morocco’s integration into the global economy... Watch

 

 

(FR) Moroccan Automotive and Aeronautics Industries

 

This episode highlights Morocco’s automotive and aeronautics industries as engines of industrial transformation, propelled by the Emergence Pact and Industrial Acceleration Program. A robust ecosystem of contractors, global manufacturers, and subcontractors has strengthened their role in global value chains, boosting exports and skilled employment. Achievements stem from workforce training, world-class infrastructure, and strategic incentives. The next challenge lies in embracing green technologies and navigating evolving global supply chains... Watch

 

 

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