Cooperatives drive change as OCP foundation expands support across Africa and beyond

In celebration of International Day of Cooperatives on July 5 and in alignment with the United Nations’ 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, Morocco’s OCP Foundation is reaffirming its commitment to strengthening grassroots economies through cooperatives at home and across the Global South.

Operating in 12 regions of Morocco and nine countries across Africa and Asia, the foundation has supported more than 930 cooperatives, representing over 9,000 members, 75% of whom are women, with programs aimed at building resilience, promoting local resources, and expanding inclusive economic opportunities.

Local Roots, Global Reach

Since its inception more than a decade ago, the foundation has placed social and solidarity economy (SSE) initiatives at the core of its development strategy. Working closely with rural communities, it has built a participatory model based on local engagement, capacity building, and co-created solutions.

Programs such as BootCoop, an intensive training and mentorship initiative for early-stage cooperatives, and CoopStore, a cooperative-driven marketing network backed by government agencies like the Office of Development Cooperation (ODCO), are among the many tools designed to promote sustainable business models and improve market access.

“The support we received helped us expand our knowledge and strengthen our cooperative journey,” said Omar Joud, president of the Union of Cooperatives of the Grand Atlas in Ouarzazate.

Focus on Training and Gender Inclusion

Partnering with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the OCP Foundation has certified 22 cooperative trainers from Morocco, Guinea, Cape Verde, and Côte d’Ivoire in internationally recognized modules such as Think.COOP and My.COOP. It has also introduced GET Ahead, a gender-sensitive entrepreneurship training program, in collaboration with Morocco’s National School of Agriculture.

Kaouthar Zitouni, a member of the Demnat Cooperative for Forest Product Development, praised the program: “It was an exceptional opportunity that helped us grow professionally and personally.”

The foundation’s flagship Mourafaka program has coached 197 cooperatives and delivered over 2,600 training sessions, providing technical support in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, Crafts, and SSE.

Recognizing Impactful Projects

Through awards such as the Lalla Moutaouina Prize and Générations Solidaires, the foundation honors high-impact cooperative initiatives. Since 2023, 43 cooperatives have received targeted support to scale their operations, while 29 new projects were selected this year for long-term mentorship.

Scaling South-South Cooperation

Beyond Morocco, the foundation has extended its programs to countries such as Malawi, where two women-led cooperatives have been launched to process and market pigeon peas. In Côte d’Ivoire, over 145 hectares of cassava are now cultivated by female farming groups.

In Senegal, initiatives include mangrove restoration and integrated community farms benefiting 1,300 women. Projects in Zimbabwe, Guinea, and Cape Verde focus on crop diversification and coastal protection, while a partnership in India is helping 2,000 farmers improve yields of peanuts, pigeon peas, and soybeans through research and training.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As it expands its scope, the OCP Foundation plans to continue investing in social innovation and international collaboration aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By reinforcing cooperative ecosystems with tools, training, and market access, the foundation aims to build what it describes as “a fairer, more human, and more resilient economy — hand in hand with cooperatives.”