Social sectors, regionalization, business climate… : The warnings of the Court of Auditors

The Court of Auditors has just published its annual report covering the period 2024-2025. This document notably reviews the evolution of the national economy, marked by a growth rate of 3.8% in 2024 compared to 3.7% in 2023, «driven by the significant increase in value added in non-agricultural sectors, which managed to offset the decline in agricultural value added, affected by successive years of drought». The Court of Auditors also highlights the slowdown in inflation, the reduction in the budget deficit, and the marked increase in tax revenues. According to the highest financial court, «despite the difficult economic climate, the national economy has acquired certain levers of resilience thanks to reforms and major structural projects aimed at diversifying sources of income and gradually reducing dependence on climatic factors» In concrete terms, «improving the performance of the national economy, marked by a transformation of its structure and a significant increase in industrial exports, as well as strengthening public finance indicators, is a key driver for pursuing reforms on a solid foundation». Furthermore, this document reviewed the various ongoing reform projects.

Disparities

Regarding advanced regionalization, for example, which «has made significant progress», the Court of Auditors nevertheless notes that «the goals of reducing regional disparities and establishing territorial equity have not yet reached the desired level» Indeed, «certain disparities persist between regions, particularly in the areas of wealth creation, investment attraction, and job creation» In fact, 3 out of 12 regions contributed nearly 58.5% of GDP in 2023, with the Casablanca-Settat region alone accounting for almost a third. The Court also emphasizes that for the program to reduce territorial and social disparities, launched in 2017, «82% of the planned projects have been completed and 12% are still underway». The Court concluded saying that «the nature of these interventions, despite their importance in improving the quality of existing infrastructure, is not fully aligned with the program’s fundamental objectives»
In-depth knowledge of the issues
These goals cannot be achieved without a «detailed and comprehensive understanding of the specific issues and needs of each territory, as well as its resources and its natural and socio-cultural characteristics» This is why «the Court recommends ensuring the coherence of these programs, their alignment with priorities, the quality of their targeting mechanisms, the establishment of a results-oriented culture, and the creation of impact». This must be accompanied by the implementation of a rigorous system for steering, monitoring, and periodic evaluation, in order to take the necessary corrective measures in a timely manner, the report states.

M.A.M.