Casablanca – Morocco has taken a major step toward strengthening its health and industrial sovereignty with the signing of a framework agreement aimed at developing the medical devices industry over the 2026–2030 period. The agreement was signed on February 4, 2026, in Rabat, on the sidelines of the second edition of “Medical Device Day,” bringing together key public and private stakeholders in the sector.

The agreement was endorsed by the Ministers of Health and Social Protection and of Industry and Trade, alongside the Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products, the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), and the President of the Moroccan Federation of Health Industries (FMIS). It reflects a coordinated public-private approach designed to build a more resilient and competitive national medical devices industry.

A strategic response to health system reform

The signing comes amid a broad national effort to modernize and strengthen Morocco’s healthcare system. This effort includes the construction of new university hospital centers, the expansion and rehabilitation of regional hospitals, the creation of proximity hospitals, and the generalization of health coverage. Together, these reforms are reshaping the country’s healthcare infrastructure and increasing demand for medical equipment and devices.

In this context, policymakers have identified the current model of medical device supply as a structural vulnerability. At present, between 85% and 90% of national demand is met through imports, exposing the health system to external shocks, currency fluctuations, and disruptions in global supply chains. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent international crises highlighted the risks associated with this dependency and reinforced the need for a more autonomous and resilient national production base.

The 2026–2030 framework agreement aims to address these challenges by shifting from short-term procurement solutions to a long-term industrial planning approach that aligns health policy with industrial development.

Key objectives and priorities

The agreement sets out several strategic objectives. First, it seeks to reduce dependence on imports by promoting local manufacturing and encouraging the substitution of imported products in segments where domestic production is technically and economically feasible. Second, it aims to secure supply chains for essential and sensitive medical devices, ensuring continuity of care even during periods of global disruption.

Third, the agreement focuses on building a competitive, innovative, and sustainable industrial ecosystem. This includes supporting productive investment, strengthening research and development capabilities, and fostering the emergence of high value-added industrial units. The promotion of the “Made in Morocco” label is also a central pillar, with the objective of enhancing the visibility and credibility of locally manufactured medical devices in both domestic and international markets.

Human capital development is another core priority. The agreement emphasizes the need to strengthen vocational training and skills development to meet the evolving needs of the medical devices industry, including in areas such as engineering, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Support mechanisms and partnerships

To achieve these objectives, the agreement provides for the mobilization of existing public support mechanisms related to financing, innovation, prototyping, industrialization, and export promotion. Industrial companies seeking to invest in medical device manufacturing will be eligible for support under national investment and export assistance programs.

The agreement also encourages the development of industrial partnerships between Moroccan and international companies. These partnerships are expected to facilitate technology transfer, improve access to global markets, and accelerate the integration of Moroccan firms into international value chains. In parallel, policymakers have called for the creation of industrial clusters or ecosystems, modeled on successful experiences in the automotive and aerospace sectors, to foster collaboration, economies of scale, and collective competitiveness.

Public procurement is identified as a key lever for supporting the sector’s growth. By aligning public purchasing policies with industrial development objectives, authorities aim to create stable and predictable demand for locally manufactured devices, while maintaining strict standards for quality, safety, and performance.

Current state of the sector

Despite its relatively recent development, Morocco’s medical devices industry has already established a measurable industrial base. Current figures indicate that the sector employs approximately 1,378 people, has attracted investments of about $38.8 million, and generates annual revenue of roughly $93.1 million. The value-added rate stands at around 46%, reflecting a meaningful contribution to domestic economic activity.

These indicators point to a sector with strong growth potential, particularly if supported by coherent industrial policies, sustained public demand, and access to appropriate financial and technical assistance. Over the past 25 years, the industry has experienced a steady increase in investment, activity, and wealth creation, suggesting that further expansion is achievable under the right conditions.

However, the high level of import dependency remains a structural constraint. Addressing this imbalance is one of the central challenges the new framework agreement seeks to overcome.

A gradual and realistic industrial pathway

Authorities have emphasized that the objective is not complete self-sufficiency or an abrupt break with imports, but rather the implementation of a gradual and realistic industrial transition. This transition will prioritize segments where local production is feasible and strategically important, particularly for essential and sensitive medical devices.

The approach also recognizes the importance of maintaining access to high-quality international products while progressively strengthening domestic capabilities. By combining import substitution, local industrial development, international partnerships, and skills upgrading, the strategy aims to balance sovereignty, competitiveness, and efficiency.

A broader vision for health and industry

Beyond its technical and economic dimensions, the framework agreement reflects a broader shift in how Morocco views the health sector. Health is increasingly regarded not only as a social service and public expenditure area, but also as a strategic, productive, and sovereign sector capable of driving industrial development, innovation, and job creation.

This shift aligns with national ambitions to diversify the industrial base, strengthen technological capabilities, and position Morocco as a regional reference in health-related industries. By linking healthcare reform with industrial strategy, the agreement seeks to transform the health system from a cost center into a lever for sustainable economic development.

Outlook

The success of the 2026–2030 framework agreement will depend on effective coordination between public authorities, industrial stakeholders, and financial institutions, as well as on the timely implementation of support measures and regulatory reforms. Monitoring mechanisms and performance indicators are expected to play a role in ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

If successfully implemented, the strategy could significantly reduce Morocco’s dependence on imported medical devices, strengthen the resilience of its healthcare system, and create new opportunities for industrial growth, employment, and exports. More broadly, it would mark a step toward building a national health industry capable of supporting the country’s long-term development and sovereignty objectives.