Helene Lindbergh

Bank of Africa launched the “SME Pact, BOA & Maroc PME” to support Moroccan MSMEs through financing, advisory services, partnerships, and growth solutions. The initiative targets business structuring, competitiveness, resilience, and scaling, addressing financing gaps and helping SMEs become stronger contributors to job creation, innovation, and Morocco's economic transformation.

From October 1st, Morocco will cut card interchange fees to 0.50% and 0.15% for small merchants and public services to boost digital payments. Yet savings may not reach merchants, classifying eligible businesses is complex, and foreign cards are excluded. The reform pressures banks' models, may create uneven markets, and tests competition, transparency, and system resilience.

Senegal's upcoming choice of debt advisor, with Lazard reportedly leading the race, reflects a broader strategic decision. Rather than pursuing traditional debt restructuring alone, Dakar may explore innovative solutions such as liability management, targeted refinancing, and regional financing tools. The decision will reveal Senegal's vision for financial sovereignty, economic flexibility, and long-term recovery.

Morocco's PAASIFEJ program, funded with 2.4 billion dirhams, supports smallholder farmers, women entrepreneurs, and youth across seven regions while promoting sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture. Its key innovation is results-based financing, linking disbursements to verified outcomes. By prioritizing value creation, jobs, and rural business development, the initiative shifts solidarity agriculture toward measurable economic impact and long-term viability.

Bank of Africa launched the BOA MDM Network to channel diaspora remittances into productive investment, aiming to raise their share beyond 10% of private investment. The program unites public-private actors, proposes an approved investor representative, simplifies procedures, reduces costs, and supports Moroccans abroad from project conception to completion while strengthening national economic development outcomes overall.

BMCE Capital Markets has launched a carbon market offering for Moroccan shipping and airline companies under the EU ETS. It enables access to allowances, supports purchases, and helps manage price risk. With tighter rules, carbon becomes a financial and operational challenge requiring structured risk management and compliance support and guidance on regulatory obligations market exposure.

Cameroon economy in early 2026 was shaped by budgetary and monetary signals, including a fiscal roadmap prioritizing IMF engagement, debt sustainability, PPPs, and investment. Growth is projected around 3.5–3.7%, inflation easing near targets. High financing needs persist, with external borrowing and ESG-linked loans planned. Trade gains from China and expanding money supply support outlook cautiously.

Morocco's Finance Law execution at end-June 2026 shows a reduced budget deficit of 20.2 billion dirhams, down from 24.9 billion a year earlier. Ordinary resources reached 357.8 billion dirhams against 377.9 billion in spending. Total resources stood at 418.2 billion, while expenditures hit 413.2 billion, reflecting moderate progress in budget forecasts during the first half.

Bounced checks continue harming SMEs despite stricter rules in Morocco, as unpaid payments trap billions of dirhams in receivables. Small businesses face payment delays exceeding 120 days and most bad checks involve amounts between 1,000 and 50,000 dirhams. Regulatory efforts have reduced incidents slightly, but distrust of checks is growing, threatening the survival of SMEs.

Morocco's textile industry is shifting from volume to value through energy efficiency, AI, R&D, and new markets. Energy audits show 21.6% savings potential, boosting competitiveness. AI improves maintenance and production, while research expands into advanced, sustainable materials. Partnerships and exports, Germany aim to convert innovation into growth, positioning Morocco as a high-value, technology-driven textile hub.