Morocco's government has announced plans to reform the social support index used to identify eligible beneficiaries for direct financial assistance. The reform aims to address shortcomings in the current system and improve the targeting of support to those who need it most. According to Minister of Economy and Finance, Fouzi Lekjaa, the current index will continue to be used without interruption to beneficiaries, while the government works to introduce a new set of reforms.
Lekjaa announced the plans during a meeting of the parliamentary finance committee on October 30, 2026. He explained that one of the key changes will be the removal of certain variables that have a significant impact on the index results, including mobile phone usage. This variable has been criticized for potentially altering the classification of families and not accurately reflecting their economic and social situation.
The minister stated that the reform will be implemented in phases, with the first phase involving the preservation of the current system and the revision of the method used to calculate expenses and incorporate known household incomes. The government aims to gradually transition to a new system based solely on income to determine eligible beneficiaries for support.
The planned reforms are part of a broader effort to review the mechanisms used to target beneficiaries of direct social support. The goal is to improve the accuracy of identifying eligible households and avoid the impact of variables that do not reflect their true economic and social situation.
Lekjaa added that the government aims to have a new index in place by the midpoint of its term, which will be based solely on income to determine eligible beneficiaries for support. This new system is expected to provide more accurate targeting of support to those who need it most.
The current social support index has been criticized for its limitations and biases. The planned reforms are expected to address these concerns and provide a more effective and efficient system for delivering support to eligible households.
The government has not provided a specific timeline for the implementation of the reforms, but has indicated that it will work to introduce the changes as soon as possible. The reforms are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of households in Morocco who rely on social support.
Key points
- The Moroccan government plans to reform its social support index to improve targeting of beneficiaries.
- The reform will involve the removal of certain variables, including mobile phone usage, and a transition to a system based solely on income.
- The government aims to have the new index in place by the midpoint of its term.
