A new initiative called #FikraMRE is seeking to harness the expertise of Moroccans living abroad to create jobs and drive growth in the country. The campaign, which closes today, invites participants to submit one idea each for creating jobs, whether it's a business, a skill, or an investment. The submissions will be compiled into a White Paper for the incoming government. This initiative aims to reframe the relationship between Morocco and its diaspora, moving beyond just remittances to utilizing their skills and expertise.
The Moroccan diaspora has long been a significant source of remittances for the country, with MAD 122.023 billion ($12.2 billion) transferred to Morocco in 2025, up 2.6% from the previous year. However, #FikraMRE co-initiator Ahmed Larouz argues that the diaspora's expertise and knowledge are not being fully utilized. He believes that there is a lack of a structured channel for the diaspora's knowledge to reach policymakers. Larouz, who has spent over 25 years between the Netherlands and Morocco, aims to change this with #FikraMRE.
The #FikraMRE initiative was launched by Larouz, along with Houda Znibaa and Karim Basrir, collaborators through the Diaspora Investors Forum. The campaign seeks to answer one key question: what would create one million jobs, innovation, and regional growth in Morocco? The initiators of #FikraMRE believe that Moroccans overseas represent a tremendous asset for the country, with skills, networks, experience, and a capacity for innovation. They aim to turn this collective wealth into concrete ideas and solutions for Morocco's territories.
The timing of the #FikraMRE initiative coincides with the Moroccan diaspora's voting rights in the September 23 legislative election. Moroccans abroad can participate in the election through a proxy system, where they designate a registered elector in Morocco to cast their ballot. The Interior Ministry's E-Procuration platform allowed voters abroad to designate a proxy from August 24 until September 22. #FikraMRE aims to present its White Paper to the incoming government, parties forming it, and members of parliament.
To ensure that the ideas gathered through #FikraMRE are heard, Larouz emphasizes the importance of follow-up and persistence. The organizers plan to track which proposals are adopted and make this information public, with focus groups in cities abroad. Larouz believes that influence is not just about one meeting, but about persistence. The project is not a political campaign, and the ideas belong to the contributors.
The #FikraMRE initiative has utilized artificial intelligence to handle the volume of submissions, which have arrived in multiple languages. AI translates the submissions, sorts them into policy pillars, and separates government measures from business projects or broader reflections. Three volunteers can process in days what would take months. Larouz emphasizes that AI is an assistant, not a judge, and that no idea is dropped for being rare.
The #FikraMRE initiative has identified five key themes from the submissions, including a registry or matchmaking center linking diaspora professionals with Moroccan companies, a fully digital path to start a business, and investment in industrial champions and small and medium enterprises. Larouz defines success in three layers: the volume of ideas gathered, the adoption of proposals by the next government, and the effort outlasting the vote to become a permanent way for Morocco to consult its diaspora.
Key points
- The #FikraMRE initiative aims to create one million jobs by 2030 by harnessing the expertise of Moroccans living abroad.
- The initiative has gathered ideas from contributors across multiple countries in just ten days.
- The #FikraMRE White Paper will be presented to the incoming government, parties forming it, and members of parliament.
