Morocco: Remittances from expatriates boost the economy
Remittances from expatriates in Morocco
Written by: Ayman Ragab
Remittances from Moroccans living abroad remain a key pillar of the Moroccan economy.
According to the latest data from the exchange office, remittances from expatriates exceeded US$12.4 billion by the end of 2025.
Moroccan money transfers
These financial transfers in 2024 amounted to more than $11.7 billion, representing more than 8% of the Kingdom’s GDP.
This strategic resource enables Morocco to maintain its position among the leading countries in receiving financial remittances in the Middle East and North Africa region, according to the World Bank.
Moroccan economy
Behind these figures, more than 5 million Moroccans live abroad, the majority of them in Europe, with France still being the top destination, followed by Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
In addition to providing financial support to families, Rabat is now seeking to leverage the skills and expertise of its diaspora and channel them towards productive investments. The goal is to support industrial projects and value-generating sectors to boost economic growth, create jobs, and foster development in the Kingdom.
The Moroccan economy and African countries
In a related context, the trade balance between Morocco and African countries recorded a significant leap, as it moved from a deficit of 3 billion dirhams in 2014 to a surplus of 7.2 billion dirhams in 2024, in a qualitative and pivotal development during recent years, from a deficit situation to achieving a financial surplus that reflects the growing economic influence of Rabat in the African continent (US dollar = 9.2 Moroccan dirhams).
The economic aspect constitutes one of the most important pillars of Moroccan foreign policy towards Africa. This dynamic has contributed to strengthening ties between the Kingdom and its African partners, and has opened new horizons for cooperation based on shared interests and mutual development.
