A Minister’s Arrogance: The Disconnect with Morocco’s Diaspora
In the often-insular world of political power, a peculiar brand of arrogance can take root when officeholders lose sight of the very people they are meant to serve. Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, recently offered a stark demonstration of this phenomenon. During a Ramadan iftar, hosted by an association of Moroccan grandes écoles
graduates, Mezzour, with an air of unburdened self-assurance, delivered a message to five million Moroccans living abroad that sent shockwaves through their communities: their return to the homeland, he declared, deserved neither gratitude nor ceremony.
“When someone comes back to work in their country, it doesn’t mean they’re giving me a gift… this is natural,” Mezzour asserted. He then sharpened his condescension with a colloquial Moroccan jab, “Bza’at
,” roughly translating to “Who cares?” He continued, “This is your country, you’re home, should I thank you for showing up?” This dismissive rhetoric, akin to a landlord scolding a tenant, resonated negatively from Paris to Montreal, Brussels to Amsterdam. It was not the voice of a statesman courting investment, but rather a man who confused bluntness with bravery, seemingly believing that alienating a nation’s most prolific economic constituency is a viable governing philosophy.
The Economic Backbone: Morocco’s Indispensable Diaspora
To fully grasp the gravity of Mezzour’s remarks, one must understand the profound economic contribution of Moroccans abroad. In 2025 alone, these expatriates injected a record-shattering MAD 122 billion – approximately $13 billion – into the national economy. This figure has seen consistent growth, climbing from MAD 115.15 billion in 2023 and MAD 118.9 billion in 2024 to its historic peak. These remittances are not mere statistics; they represent over 8% of the country’s GDP, significantly overshadowing foreign direct investment. They act as a crucial buffer against the trade deficit, stabilize the dirham, and provide sustenance for hundreds of thousands of families who rely on monthly transfers from relatives working abroad.
A Lifeline for the National Economy
Simply put, these funds are oxygen to the national economy. Bank Al-Maghrib itself projects these vital flows to swell further, reaching MAD 130 billion by 2027. Morocco stands as the second-largest remittance recipient in the entire Middle East and North Africa, trailing only Egypt. Yet, the Minister of Industry appears to treat these billions as if they were coins idly tossed into a wishing well, demonstrating a profound lack of appreciation for their strategic importance.
A Legacy of Inherited Success, A Record of Current Struggles
The irony of Mezzour’s dismissive stance is further compounded by a critical examination of his own performance since his appointment by King Mohammed VI in October 2021. He inherited a ministry that was already thriving under the astute leadership of his predecessor, Moulay Hafid Elalamy. Elalamy had masterfully orchestrated Morocco’s ascent to Africa’s premier automobile manufacturer and propelled the kingdom’s aeronautics sector into the global top tier. Mezzour, in essence, arrived at a table already sumptuously set, and, predictably, proceeded to claim credit for the feast.
The Alarming Reality: Soaring Unemployment and Business Failures
However, beyond the glossy presentations and recycled talking points about MAD 816 billion in industrial turnover, the true indicators of industrial policy efficacy paint a damning picture. Youth unemployment, a critical barometer, has not only failed to budge but has metastasized. It soared to 39.5% by January 2025, a figure confirmed by none other than Nizar Baraka, Mezzour’s own party leader at Istiqlal. Among university graduates, this figure approaches an unconscionable 40% in certain regions. Disturbingly, one in three young Moroccans under 24 falls into the ignominious NEET category – neither employed, nor in school, nor in training.
The business landscape under Mezzour’s watch tells an equally grim story. Business insolvencies surged by 18% in 2022, 13% in 2023, and 11% in 2024. In 2024 alone, over 40,000 enterprises collapsed, according to the Confederation of SMEs, with nearly 99% of these failures being micro-enterprises – the very bedrock of local employment. Allianz Trade’s forecast of a further 7% spike in 2025 proved accurate, as Morocco recorded the bankruptcy of nearly 52,000 companies that year, placing the nation among the most affected globally.
Accountability and Respect: The Path Forward
The stark contrast between the diaspora’s unwavering financial commitment and the Minister’s dismissive rhetoric, coupled with his ministry’s troubling performance, underscores a profound disconnect. Effective stewardship demands more than merely occupying a position of power; it requires respect, gratitude, and a clear understanding of the economic realities that sustain a nation. For Morocco to truly thrive, its leaders must acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable contributions of all its citizens, particularly those whose sacrifices abroad continue to fuel the homeland’s economy amidst domestic challenges.
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