Morocco accelerates business creation

At the end of the first eight months of 2026, 66,277 new entities were registered in the commercial register. This volume, which continues a progression already visible at the end of July (around 60,900 creations), comes at a time when the country is seeking to strengthen the private sector’s contribution to growth and employment.

These registrations break down into 49,897 companies and 16,380 sole proprietorships. Legal forms confirm a clear preference for simplicity: single-member limited liability companies (SARL AU) account for 65% of new companies, while other SARLs represent 33.8%. This structure often reflects modest-scale projects led by individual entrepreneurs or small teams, rather than capital-heavy structures.

Territorial concentration remains strong. For companies, Casablanca-Settat accounts for 39.3% of registrations, followed by Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (14.4%), Marrakech-Safi (12.3%) and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (10.8%). Together, these four regions account for 76.8% of new companies. Among sole proprietorships, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima leads (20.5%), ahead of Casablanca-Settat (13.3%) and the Oriental region (10.7%). This geography highlights both the appeal of major economic and logistics hubs and the persistence of regional disparities.

At the sectoral level, trade dominates among new companies (27.21%), followed by construction, public works and real estate activities (25.25%), miscellaneous services (20.04%), transport (7.68%) and industry (6.34%). The OMPIC also issued 85,351 commercial name certificates over the period, a preliminary step for many registrations.

Acceleration within a framework of administrative simplification

The observed dynamic is part of an effort to modernize procedures. The electronic platform for business creation and support, rolled out nationally after a pilot phase, has enabled more than 50,300 creations since its deployment. In 2026, the electronic route accounts for 44% of total creations, with rates exceeding 70% in several cities. Average processing times for a complete file are around three days, sometimes less than 24 hours. This dematerialization, combined with the rapid issuance of commercial name certificates, reduces certain administrative frictions without resolving all obstacles to the survival and development of businesses.

These creation volumes are not, in themselves, an indicator of lasting economic vitality. They do, however, signal easier access to formalization and a response to activity needs, particularly in trade and local services. The challenge is to turn part of these creations into sustainable businesses capable of generating formal employment and contributing to added value.

Key figures for business creation (January–August 2026)

• 66,277 new businesses registered, including 49,897 companies and 16,380 sole proprietorships.
• Single-member SARLs: 65% of new companies; other SARLs: 33.8%.
• Four regions (Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Marrakech-Safi, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima) account for 76.8% of new companies.
• Main sectors for companies: trade (27.21%), construction and real estate (25.25%), miscellaneous services (20.04%).
• 85,351 commercial name certificates issued.
• Electronic route: 44% of creations in 2026.

The new government’s ambitions and the role of the private sector

These figures take on particular significance at a time when the new government, led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, is setting out its priorities. On 19 October 2026, before Parliament, the head of government outlined an average annual growth target of 5% between 2027 and 2031, as well as the ambition to raise the private sector’s contribution to two-thirds of total national investment. This trajectory is accompanied by fiscal discipline objectives (deficit contained around 3% of GDP, public debt brought down towards 62% of GDP by 2031) and measures aimed at strengthening the productive fabric.

El Mansouri recalled Morocco’s structural assets: proximity to European markets, African partnerships, Atlantic coastline, existing infrastructure and industrial base. The challenge, in her view, is to convert these advantages into progress toward emerging economic power status while strengthening social justice. The levers mentioned include deployment of the Investment Charter, support for regional investment centers, the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, and improved access for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to financing and public procurement. One provision notably requires that at least 30% of the value of public contracts be reserved for Moroccan micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

These orientations partly respond to observations made by the International Monetary Fund in its assessments. The institution has called for a more dynamic private sector, greater competition and labor market reforms, while welcoming support measures for small businesses, startups and employment opportunities for young people and women. The creation of lasting jobs remains a central point of vigilance, as volumes of business creations do not automatically translate into formal and stable positions.

Infrastructure, the World Cup and spillover effects

Another contextual factor is the acceleration of infrastructure investment linked to co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The IMF has analyzed a public investment program in connectivity and tourism estimated at around 12% of 2024 GDP over the 2024–2030 period, covering rail networks, airports, roads, stadiums and urban infrastructure. These expenditures, largely carried by public enterprises and domestic resources, can generate activity and employment in the short and medium term, particularly in construction and related services. They also constitute a test of the country’s ability to mobilize productive investment beyond the event horizon.

The strong presence of construction and real estate among new business creations can be interpreted, in part, as a response to these projects. Similarly, trade and services benefit from the demand generated by the works and, potentially, by an influx of visitors. The spillover effect on industry and higher value-added activities remains more limited in current creation statistics, however.

Challenges of sustainability, territoriality and job quality

The geographic concentration of creations raises the question of opportunity diffusion. Regions that capture the bulk of companies have denser ecosystems (business services, financing, markets). Sole proprietorships, more numerous in certain areas such as Tangier or the Oriental region, often correspond to survival or proximity activities, whose transformation into stronger structures requires targeted support.

The predominance of single-member SARLs and of trade and services sectors indicates a real entrepreneurial dynamic, but also a profile of businesses that are often small, undercapitalized and exposed to cyclical risks. The Investment Charter mechanisms, regional centers and the Mohammed VI Fund are specifically intended to provide financial and technical support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Their effectiveness will be measured by the ability of these structures to grow, export or integrate more complex value chains, rather than remaining in a pure creation logic.

Labor market reforms and the strengthening of competition, mentioned by the IMF, appear as complementary conditions. Without better resource allocation and a reduction in barriers to formal hiring, part of the creations risks remaining in the informal sector or generating precarious jobs. Initiatives in favor of young people and women constitute a relevant axis, but their impact will depend on the quality of support and effective access to markets.

Open perspectives

The 66,277 creations in the first eight months of 2026 confirm a capacity for entrepreneurial initiative and an improvement in administrative procedures. They fit within a political framework that explicitly places the private sector at the heart of the growth strategy. The combination of infrastructure investments linked to 2030, SME support mechanisms and the objective of raising the private sector’s share to two-thirds of national investment offers a horizon of demand and financing.

It remains to be seen whether this creation dynamic translates into lasting improvements in productivity, formal employment and business resilience. Future OMPIC reports, data on company survival and employment indicators will make it possible to assess whether the observed acceleration goes beyond the formalization stage to effectively contribute to the growth and social justice trajectory set out by the authorities.

FAQ

How many businesses were created in Morocco during the first eight months of 2026? According to the OMPIC, 66,277 new businesses were registered, including 49,897 companies and 16,380 sole proprietorships.

Which regions concentrate the most company creations? Casablanca-Settat (39.3%), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (14.4%), Marrakech-Safi (12.3%) and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (10.8%), i.e. 76.8% of all new companies.

What is the growth target set by the El Mansouri government? An average annual growth of 5% between 2027 and 2031, with the ambition of raising the private sector’s share to two-thirds of national investment.

Does electronic creation account for a significant share of new businesses? Yes, 44% of creations in 2026 are done electronically, via a platform that has already enabled more than 50,300 registrations since its deployment.