Signing a memorandum of understanding to create an online store for traditional industry

Economy of the East

Within the framework of promoting the digital and financial transformation of the traditional industry sector, the State Secretariat for Traditional Industry and the Social and Solidarity Economy, the Dar Al-Sanea Foundation, the Central Popular Bank Group, and MasterCard signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday at the State Secretariat headquarters in Rabat. The agreement aims to create an online store to showcase traditional industry products and provide artisans with e-payment solutions and incentivized bank offers.

The memorandum was signed by Lahcen Saadi, Secretary of State for Traditional Industry, Nouzha Belkeziz, President and CEO of Banque Populaire Central, and Mark Elliott, President of MasterCard's Africa division. During the signing ceremony, the parties emphasized that this partnership reflects the “common will to promote digital inclusion, stimulate equitable growth, and increase the income of traditional artisans.”.

According to a statement issued by the State Secretariat, the agreement provides for “launching a digital platform dedicated to marketing traditional industry products locally and internationally,” while “developing banking offers that meet the needs of artisans, and providing electronic payment solutions through the Central Popular Bank's M2T performance institution, including card and mobile phone payments.” The statement also noted that these mechanisms “will effectively contribute to boosting the sector's exports to international markets.”.

Modernizing the sector to preserve identity

In his speech during the event, Saadi stressed that “supporting traditional artisans requires the adoption of innovative digital solutions,” noting that “the products are traditional but the working methods must be modern, as modernization is the way to preserve this sector.” He added that Morocco is preparing to host major events such as the Africa Cup in 2525 and the World Cup in 2030. He also noted that Morocco is preparing to host major events such as the 2025 Africa Cup and the 2030 World Cup, which calls for “equipping artisans with electronic payment tools to better deal with visitors.”.

The aim of the memorandum is to “provide suitable financial offers and facilitate electronic payments by equipping artisans” shops with digital payment mechanisms,“ Saadi said, stressing that ”the online store will enable professionals to reach global markets and increase their sales.“ ”The pilot phase of the platform will be launched next week with one entity before it is generalized to the rest of the entities," he said.

Strategy partners

“The agreement is in line with the digital transformation of the sector by encouraging financial inclusion,” Belkeziz said, noting that “the traditional industry represents the national identity and needs institutional support.” “The banking group will provide artisans, who are usually outside the banking system, with an e-commerce platform, customized banking offers and innovative payment methods,” she added.

Mark Elliott expressed his “pride in this partnership that will positively impact 500,000 Moroccan artisans,” noting that “the sector contributes to 7% of GDP.” Mohamed Benamar, Director of MasterCard North and West Africa, emphasized that “the agreement aims to empower artisans with electronic payment methods and provide a national digital marketplace for them, with a training platform to raise their digital competencies.”.

Sector achievements

Morocco's traditional industry exports have seen remarkable growth, doubling between 2016 and 2024 to reach 1.1 billion dirhams in 2024 (up 40% from 2019), while the sector employs about 22% of the active population, according to official data.