SME Financing: One Pact, Eight Support Mechanisms

The SME Pact, the backbone of the new development plan of Maroc PME (ORBIT 2030), consists of eight support mechanisms for SMEs, two of which stand out as innovations: Pact’Restructuring and Pact’Transmission.
The first is described as a “bold” mechanism, as it responds to the difficult economic context prevailing since the Covid-19 crisis, which triggered cascading business failures across the national entrepreneurial fabric. Companies in difficulty—particularly SMEs—now have access to a tailor-made support scheme designed to prevent bankruptcy and help viable firms return to a growth path. Pact’Restructuring aims to support struggling SMEs that are economically viable and have significant employment stakes. Funding of MAD 2.4 million will be deployed per SME, with 90% covered by Maroc PME. The expected outcome is to preserve the economic capital of SMEs and safeguard jobs.
The second mechanism, Pact’Transmission, targets family-owned businesses. These firms largely dominate Morocco’s economic landscape, representing between 70% and 95% of the entrepreneurial fabric, according to estimates. As true pillars of the economy, they structure the majority of SMEs, contribute significantly to GDP, and are critical for employment. However, transfer to the third generation remains a major challenge, with only 30% successfully achieving this transition.
Pact’Transmission has therefore been launched to improve this ratio, notably by streamlining business transfers and facilitating transitions while ensuring continuity of operations. Maroc PME covers 90% of the costs related to the setup and implementation of the transfer process, up to MAD 1 million. The ultimate objective is to ensure economic stability for the SME concerned, preserve jobs, and strengthen confidence.

Support for Decarbonization and Water Management

Six other mechanisms make up the SME Pact. Pact’Decarbonization/Water is another new measure, reflecting the growing importance of decarbonization and water management for SMEs. This mechanism includes the implementation of regulatory standards, process optimization, energy transition measures, carbon footprint assessments, and decarbonization plans. Maroc PME covers 80% of advisory and expertise costs, capped at MAD 1 million. The aim is to help SMEs reduce their carbon footprint and optimize water-related processes.
Pact’Scale Up, for its part, seeks to accelerate the growth of high-potential SMEs (“gazelles”). Its objective is to develop future economic champions through selective, tailored support, based on in-depth 360° diagnostics, customized acceleration plans, and solutions for access to financing, markets, and talent. Maroc PME covers 80% of the costs of diagnostics and acceleration plans, capped at MAD 2 million. In the long term, SMEs are expected to undergo structural transformation, consolidate their growth trajectory, and seize new opportunities.
Aziz DIOUF