Morocco’s Diaspora Returns: A Wave of Talent and Investment

At dawn in Bordeaux, Joulya Azmi closed her suitcase for the last time. After nine years in France working grueling night shifts as a nurse while enduring microaggressions, the Franco-Moroccan professional made a calculated decision. “I’m not running away,” she explains. “I’m running toward something.”

The Reverse Migration Trend

Morocco, traditionally a country of emigration, is witnessing an unexpected homecoming. In 2023, remittances from Moroccans abroad reached a staggering MAD 117.7 billion ($11.8 billion), accounting for nearly 10% of GDP. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper story – skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives are choosing Morocco’s potential over Europe’s chilly reception.

The Remittance Paradox

While Morocco receives substantial diaspora funds, most vanish into daily expenses rather than productive investment. Approximately 60% goes toward basic needs like food and education, while 30% sits idle in savings. This contrasts sharply with Nigeria and Kenya, where 45% and 35% of remittances respectively fuel business growth and property development.

The challenge lies in Morocco’s bureaucratic hurdles. Initiatives like MDM Invest have struggled, with only 48 projects materializing by mid-2022. Complex procedures and opaque systems discourage meaningful investment, leaving much potential untapped.

The New Entrepreneurs

Despite obstacles, success stories emerge. Mohamed Benzakour, a 32-year-old IT consultant, returned from Paris during the pandemic. “In Morocco, there’s an infectious sense of possibility,” says Benzakour, who now runs a thriving web development agency. Similarly, Omar Berrada, after two decades in the Netherlands, is launching a restaurant, drawn by Morocco’s transformation.

Cultural Homecoming

For many returnees, the move transcends economics. Myriam Laaboudi, who returned from Belgium, describes it as reclaiming identity: “In Morocco, people accept you. It’s where I can finally breathe.” This emotional reconnection often proves as compelling as financial incentives.

Systemic Challenges

Morocco must address structural barriers to sustain this momentum. Cumbersome bureaucracy, fragmented policies, and lackluster support systems risk squandering the diaspora’s enthusiasm. The country needs streamlined processes and clearer investment pathways to convert returning talent into lasting economic growth.

Without these reforms, Morocco risks seeing this promising reverse migration wave – and its associated capital – dissipate as quickly as it appeared.

Source: Morocco World News