A true lever for economic and social development, cooperatives are multiplying in the southern provinces. Their creation often relies on subsidies and support from the INDH or organisations such as the Southern Agency, the National Mutual Aid, or the Agency for Social Development. The opening of these cooperatives to new markets means that their activities, in addition to substantial profits, generate a significant number of jobs.

According to the Office for the Development of Cooperation (ODCO), 58 new cooperatives were created last May in the three southern regions: 26 in the Guelmim-Smara region, 18 in Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, and 14 in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region. These cooperatives, which are divided between the agriculture, maritime fishing, and craft sectors, are expected to play an essential role, particularly in rural areas, in the fight against poverty and the strengthening of women's integration.

To support them, the Office has redoubled its efforts in these three regions through actions that have focused essentially on raising awareness of cooperative work through training and the dissemination of cooperative culture via specialised magazines and information and communication meetings. It ensures the emergence of a new generation of high-performing and innovative cooperatives by helping them overcome certain constraints and guaranteeing them a level of entrepreneurship. Cooperatives working across the southern provinces are distinguished by a great dynamism, as they offer young graduates the possibility of creating their own businesses and integrating into active life, and provide women with additional income-generating activities.

These entities, however, face several obstacles, including a lack of expertise and competence in developing projects, financial management imbalances, insufficient products, difficulty in accessing financing, and the absence of regulations governing this sector of activity. It should be remembered that the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region has been equipped since 2010 with a programme contract for the promotion of the social and solidarity economy of small and very small businesses. This programme spans five years and is financed by the Social Economy Fund to the tune of 105.5 million dirhams.