Field visit by a delegation from Burkina Faso to the Kingdom of Morocco and UCLG Africa   

From August 19 to 23, 2024, a delegation of various actors involved in the Decentralization System of Burkina Faso, led by Mr. Issoufou KONGO, Director General of Local Authorities, undertook a field visit in the Kingdom of Morocco. The visit focused on the following: “How to create a Supportive and Enabling Environment for the Promotion of Local Economic Development: Sharing the Experience of the Kingdom of Morocco”. The delegation was made up of representatives from the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security (MATDS), the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Forecasting (MEFP), local authorities and other stakeholders, notably from the Swiss Cooperation. During their stay, the mission was assisted by Dr. Najat ZARROUK, Director of Development, Knowledge Management and the African Local Governments Academy (ALGA) of UCLG Africa. 

The delegation members visited several institutions involved in the local economic development of the Kingdom of Morocco. These included the following institutions:    

– The Ministry in charge of Planning, Urban Development, Housing and City Policy 

-The General Directorate of Local Authorities (DGCT) 

– The Association of Moroccan Regions (ARM) 

– The Municipal Development Fund 

– The Deposit and Management Fund (CDG)   

– The Tangiers City Council Headquarters 

– The Municipality of Ifrane 

– Al Akhawayn University Continuing Education Center in Ifrane 

– The Ahmed Boukmakh Cultural Center in Tangiers 

The delegation also discovered some of Morocco’s structuring projects and historic monuments. 

This fruitful mission to the Kingdom of Morocco has allowed for the achievement of the targeted objectives. The implementation of the various recommendations will give impetus to local economic development in the various territories of Burkina Faso. Once the results of this mission have been communicated to the relevant Ministers, notably the Minister for Territorial Administration and the Minister of Economy and Finance, steps should be taken to share the recommendations with the Local Authorities. All players and stakeholders will need to join forces to draw up a new Roadmap for local economic development in Burkina Faso, which leaves no one and no part of the national territory behind.