Mastercard SME Confidence Index: 87% of Moroccan SMEs are confident about the year ahead, driven by a growing domestic market

• Seven out of ten SME owners say digital and online payments are important to help grow their business.
• Moroccan SMEs view upskilling staff and mentorship as key areas of support they require.
• Over 60% of SMEs see the highest potential for growth in ensuring safe and cyber-secure payment processing.

Casablanca, Morocco; 18 June 2026: Morocco's small and medium enterprises (SMEs are optimistic about the future, with 87% reporting confidence in their business outlook over the next 12 months. A Mastercard study reveals that Moroccan SMEs have a strong sense of confidence, supported by a growing domestic market and an increased focus on strengthening their business capabilities.

The Mastercard SME Confidence Index is a multi-market study that captures the sentiment, priorities, and growth outlook of SMEs across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

There is a growing recognition of the role that digital tools, particularly payments and security solutions, can play in enabling business expansion and improving efficiency in Morocco. 78% of the businesses surveyed recognize that adopting digital and online payments is crucial in assisting them grow better and faster, both now and in the future.

“Entrepreneurial businesses across the region continue to demonstrate adaptability and ambition. As they navigate change, their growing focus on digital capabilities and financial access is opening up new pathways for sustainable growth, enabling them to compete more effectively in an increasingly connected and dynamic marketplace,” said Gabriel Swanepoel, division president, Africa, Mastercard.

This optimism is also reflected in how Moroccan SMEs are approaching the future. Nearly half (49%) of SMEs say maintaining and growing their business is their top priority, while 47% are already taking steps to expand into new markets, highlighting a shift toward more proactive and growth-oriented strategies.

“SMEs in Morocco are showing a clear intent to evolve and grow. Their increasing emphasis on digital payments, security, and workforce development reflects a strong readiness to participate more fully in the digital economy. As businesses look to scale, this focus on building capabilities and adopting the right tools will be critical in unlocking new opportunities and strengthening long-term resilience,” said Mohamed Benomar, country manager, Northwest Africa.

Optimism amidst a dynamic economic environment

Moroccan SMEs continue to navigate a changing economic landscape while maintaining a positive outlook. Although inflation was cited by 79% of SMEs as the biggest challenge, confidence remains strong, with 66% describing the current economic situation as good.

The top positive drivers of business performance cited by SMEs, were a growing domestic market (33%) and political stability (32%).

The shift toward secure and seamless digital payments

As SMEs in Morocco look to modernize their operations – currently dominated by traditional brick-and-mortar locations (73%) – there is a growing shift toward digital enablement.

Businesses see the highest potential for growth in ensuring safe and cyber-secure payment processing (62%), followed by providing simple and user-friendly payment methods (60%), reflecting a clear focus on enhancing both efficiency and customer experience.

Upskilling and advisory support

To achieve their growth ambitions, Moroccan SMEs are increasingly seeking upskilling and strategic support. The key requirements identified by respondents include, supporting, managing, or upskilling their teams (65%), followed by gaining access to a network of mentors or business advisory support (62%). 

Supporting SMEs through partnerships

Through strategic collaborations with local fintech leaders, Mastercard is actively working to provide the exact tools and resources SMEs require to translate these ambitions into reality.

Mastercard has also partnered with Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy and Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) to support the digital transformation of the Kingdom’s handicrafts sector. This initiative aims to assist artisans and handicraft businesses adopt digital tools, access training and support programmes, and expand the use of digital payment solutions, helping them participate more fully in the digital economy. The program has the potential to benefit approximately 2.3 million artisans across Morocco.

Mastercard partnered with VPS, a leading Moroccan payment processing and financial services company, to accelerate payment innovation and expand financial inclusion across the Kingdom. The collaboration provides SMEs with access to a wide range of Mastercard's digital payment solutions, including secure e-commerce gateways and innovative technologies such as Mastercard's “Tap on Phone” solution, which allows SMEs to accept contactless payments easily and affordably using just their smartphone.

As SMEs across Morocco continue to build on their confidence, the Mastercard SME Confidence Index highlights both their resilience and their readiness to embrace new opportunities. By combining digital innovation, partnerships, and capability-building, Mastercard remains focused on supporting SMEs as they scale and contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic digital economy.