Remittances sent by Moroccans living abroad could soon make it easier for families in Morocco to access credit. A new scheme will allow 4,000 beneficiaries to use their remittance history as an additional factor in the assessment of their loan applications. The project brings together Damane Cash and Salafin and primarily targets rural and peri-urban families who are far from the traditional banking system.
Using MRE remittances in credit scoring
The project was presented during a Board meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome.
The principle is straightforward: money regularly received from relatives living abroad can be taken into account when assessing a borrower’s financial profile.
However, this mechanism will not grant automatic access to a loan. The remittance history will be considered only as one factor in the overall credit evaluation.
This approach is designed in particular for people who have regular income or financial resources but do not meet the usual criteria of traditional bank lending.
Small-ticket consumer loans with Salafin
Damane Cash will work with Salafin, the consumer credit subsidiary of Bank of Africa, to design a small-ticket loan product tailored to remittance recipients.
The aim is to better serve families who regularly receive money from abroad but make little use of conventional financial services.
The project plans to support 4,000 eligible people throughout this process.
Loan applications will be supported across the Damane Cash network.
100 Damane Cash service points involved
The scheme provides for the rollout of equipment in 100 Damane Cash service points.
The network will include:
- 50 Damane Cash branches;
- 50 partner retailers.
These service points will be responsible, among other things, for informing beneficiaries and helping them compile and submit their loan applications.
In this way, the project aims to bring financial services closer to rural and peri-urban communities.
MREs: a vital lifeline for Moroccan households
Remittances from Moroccans residing abroad already play a major role in household economies across the country.
According to IFAD, Morocco received around 13 billion US dollars in remittances in 2025. These funds mainly support families’ daily expenses but can also contribute to savings, investment and entrepreneurship.
In its 2026 report on remittance flows, IFAD specifically calls for stronger links between these transfers and access to savings products, insurance and tailored credit solutions.
Part of a broader financial inclusion program
Credit is only one component of the initiative.
The program also plans to open bank accounts or electronic wallets for 12,000 beneficiaries and to issue 4,000 payment cards.
It includes a life insurance component as well. This branch of the program will target 2,000 beneficiaries and will be developed in partnership with Royale Marocaine d’Assurance (RMA).
The program also foresees financial education activities. Up to 10,000 people are expected to take part in information and coaching sessions.
Women and low-income households as a priority
The project pays special attention to groups that rarely use formal financial services.
Women, low-income households and people who have never used conventional financial services are among the priority beneficiaries.
The program notably aims for at least 50% of direct beneficiaries to be women.
Selected areas in the provinces of Khouribga, Béni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah and Figuig could host the pilot phase. The final choice of regions will be made after an assessment of areas receiving large volumes of remittances and that can be covered by the Damane Cash network.
A new way to finance Moroccan families
Through this scheme, remittances from Moroccans living abroad could take on a new role. Traditionally used to cover household spending, they could also help open the door to certain financial services.
The project remains targeted and experimental. It does not automatically turn remittances into a bank guarantee.
The real objective is to use beneficiaries’ financial history as additional information to more accurately assess their capacity to access suitable credit.
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