Morocco - Social Protection Improvement Support Programme – PAAPS

The proposed operation is an ADB loan of UA 150 million, equivalent to 204 million US dollars, to the Kingdom of Morocco to finance the Social Protection Improvement Support Programme (PAAPS). This programme is the second operation in Morocco using the results-based financing instrument in the social sector. The Bank’s results-based financing intervention will help to address social protection priorities based on government guidelines as part of an integrated and inclusive approach for the development of social policies. The programme will place special emphasis on upgrading health-care and social protection supply in Morocco’s three most disadvantaged regions, namely: Beni Mellal-Khénifra, DraaTafilalet, and Guelmim-Oued Noun. Thee three regions were selected because they have the country’s highest poverty rates with respectively 14.6% for Draâ Tafilalet, 9.3% for Beni Mellal Khénifra and 6.2% for Guelmim-Oued Noun. The rural areas of Beni Mellal-Khénifra and Draa-Tafilalet, remain the worst affected by poverty with respective rates of 20.6% and 17.7%. PAAPS will be implemented over four fiscal years (2020- 2023). By targeting the social coverage of vulnerable segments of the population, it will contribute to a reduction in social, geographic and gender disparities in access to social protection in general, poverty reduction and social exclusion, in particular. The exceptional focus on three regions (Beni Mellal-Khénifra, Draâ-Tafilet and Guelmim- Oued Noun) will enhance the quality of human capital in these areas and increase the population’s economic participation.