Among the new features of the 2026 Finance Bill is the launch of a new generation of integrated territorial development programs. The Minister in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaä , announced the creation of an Integrated Territorial Development Fund, endowed with 20 billion Dirhams (USD 2.2 billion).

This windfall will be used to launch a priority program for 2026. The objective is to accelerate the implementation of a set of urgent measures with a strong social and territorial impact. This will improve basic services, reduce territorial disparities and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable areas, particularly mountainous regions, while stimulating local employment.

These programs are structured around four main axes. The main ones are supporting employment and strengthening basic social services, particularly in the areas of education, teaching, and healthcare. It also involves adopting proactive and sustainable water resource management, while launching integrated territorial upgrading projects. Particular attention will be paid to mountainous areas, oases, and the development of coastal areas, as well as expanding the program for emerging rural areas.

Thus, in terms of education and teaching, it will be necessary to improve access to and the quality of education, and to combat school dropout, particularly among children from remote douars.

In the health sector, it is imperative to strengthen equitable access to quality health services for vulnerable groups, through immediate actions with a strong territorial impact.

In terms of integrated territorial planning, it is necessary to improve basic infrastructure, reduce spatial disparities, and strengthen local attractiveness. Employment and economic inclusion are also important. The goal is to create immediate employment opportunities and strengthen the socio-economic inclusion of young people and women.

Efforts are also being focused on the education sector, which will be allocated 97.1 billion dirhams (USD 11 billion) for next year, i.e. 11.5 billion dirhams (USD 120 million) more than the 2025 budget. This will require accelerating the implementation of the roadmap for the generalization of preschool education. In addition, the quality of training must be improved and the pioneer schools model expanded. The goal is to achieve full coverage by the 2027-2028 school year.

Mohamed CHAOUI