Through her Eyes: The Untold Contributions of African Migrant Women in Morocco
Morocco has become a crossroads for various types of migration, including labor migrants, international students, and transit migrants. Although transit migration represents the smallest group statistically, it remains the primary focus of Moroccan and European policymakers, as well as the media.
Migrants have always been at the center of discussions in Morocco, a country considered a gateway to Europe for most African migrants. I have always been interested in migration issues and have covered the struggles and obstacles migrants face. But this time, I want to shed light on something often overlooked: their contributions to Morocco, most specifically, the contributions of African women.
Although migrants make up just 0.3% of Morocco’s population, with around 102,400 documented foreign residents (UN, 2020), the number of foreigners living in the country has increased significantly. Between 2004 and 2014, Morocco saw a 63.3% rise in its foreign population, according to the High Commission for Planning (HCP). (Source: MADAR Network, 2021 – “Politique migratoire au Maroc”)
Women represent 48.5% of Morocco’s migrant population, according to the High Commission for Planning (HCP, 2019). Most immigrants come from countries with strong historical or economic ties to Morocco, including France, Senegal, Algeria, and Spain. In recent years, the country’s relative economic growth has attracted a more diverse migrant workforce, particularly from China, the Philippines, and, to a lesser extent, Turkey.
Morocco is also home to a growing community of international students, mainly from West and Central Africa, estimated at around 20,000 (EUROMED University, 2022). (Source: MADAR Network, 2021 – “Politique migratoire au Maroc”)
« Migration is often a lifeline, » says Jamila Aitblal, president of the Oum Al Banin Association, as she reflects on the complex motivations behind women’s migration.
According to her, the reasons that push migrant women to leave their home countries are deeply intertwined, often rooted in a mix of economic, social, and cultural challenges. “Poverty, lack of job opportunities, insecurity, gender-based violence, and the need to join a spouse are among the most common triggers,” she explains.
“For many women,” she adds, “migration becomes a means of escaping a reality that threatens their dignity and safety, whether economically or socially.”
From Rabat to Agadir: Stories of Strength
Agadir, Morocco
Photo by Hamza Lasri on Unsplash
From Rabat, the capital, I headed south to Agadir—a journey of 546.9 kilometers. I took a bus to meet Jamila, the president of the Oum Al Banin Association, an organization that works closely with migrant women, supports them, and follows up on their needs. The association provides training opportunities, assists pregnant women, and helps care for their children.
When I asked Jamila to point me toward women she believes are making a difference in the city, she didn’t hesitate. She introduced me to Yacin, a Senegalese woman who runs a small business in Souk Al Ahad—the largest market in Morocco and in Africa.
Souk El Had, Agadir, Morocco
Souk El Had, Entrance door , Agadir, Morocco
Photo by Malika Bouabid
Souk El Had, Agadir, Morocco
Photo by Rabenspiegel on Pixabay
I went to the Souk to meet her. At first, I was a bit lost among the maze of stalls and shops, so I began asking some migrant women who owned karossas (pushcarts) for directions. They kindly tried to guide me, but it wasn’t until I approached a few Moroccan vendors that I was taken directly to her shop. To my surprise, everyone seemed to know her—Yacin’s Salon was a well-known name in the market.
When I arrived, I found a small group gathered at the shop: a Senegalese man, another Senegalese woman, and a Moroccan client. And there she was—Yacin, the woman I had come to meet. She welcomed me with a warm, radiant smile.
“Bonjour, bienvenue,” she said—“Hello, welcome.”
Yacin’s stall, Photo by Malika Akestour
I immediately introduced myself, as she had been expecting me. She invited me in with the same warm energy, and I felt welcomed from the very first moment. I sat down and quickly apologized for interrupting her while she was working. I even offered to come back later, once she was free.
But Yacin explained that she would be busy the entire day—it was just two days before Eid, one of the most important holidays in the Muslim calendar, marking the end of Ramadan. I suggested meeting after Ftor, the evening meal that breaks the fast, but she was fully booked with clients even then. So, we agreed to continue the interview while she worked.
She continued working while answering some of my questions. The small shop was fascinating—filled with accessories, hair wigs, beauty products, and just about everything a woman might need.
I took out my phone to record our conversation. Yacin, unfazed, kept applying eyelashes to the women, one by one, all while responding thoughtfully to my questions.
Photo by Malika Akestour
Yacin has six children—three girls and three boys—in Senegal, with her youngest born in Agadir, Morocco. The day we met, she wore a rose-pink dress adorned with golden flowers, paired with a golden scarf, golden earrings, a red bracelet, and a golden necklace. Her look was completed with golden-framed glasses, adding a final touch of elegance.
Yacin exudes warmth and positivity. Her smile and gentle kindness immediately put me at ease. She’s the kind of woman who makes you feel comfortable from the moment you meet her—effortlessly engaging, grounded, and radiating positive energy.
The shop was a burst of color. Wigs in every shade imaginable lined the shelves, and the beauty products came in vibrant hues—yellow, orange, black, and white. Near the entrance, traditional Senegalese clothing for both men and women added to the shop’s lively, multicultural atmosphere.
As we spoke, several clients came in to inquire about prices. “Zwin zwin,” Yacin said, pointing to a product. “Beautiful,” she added with a smile, before assuring the customer, “Only 30 dirhams today.” She explained that the discount was for the holiday, referring to the upcoming Eid celebration.
We then shifted our conversation to her life before migrating to Morocco. « I was working in Senegal, » she said. « I came to Morocco for work, » Yacin explained, saying that she had been married in Senegal but later divorced. « I worked as a house cleaner there, » she continued. « Some Moroccans needed Senegalese women, and one of them brought me here for work. »
She recalled her first job in Morocco, working as a cleaner for a Moroccan family. They paid her to help support her family, her children, and her mother back in Senegal. As she applied eyelashes to her client, Yacin paused for a moment, reflecting on her journey. It was a brief but powerful glimpse into her life before she became a successful businesswoman in Agadir.
“It was a bit difficult working in the Moroccan family’s house,” Yacin admits, but she quickly adds, “We work to earn money to live; this is normal. We work and send money home to help our kids with school, and so on.” Despite the challenges, she says all this with a smile on her face, embodying the positive energy that seems to define her. Meanwhile, the client silently listened, her thoughtful expression showing she was clearly engaged in the conversation.
Yacin goes on to explain, “I worked as a cleaner for two years before I started my own business.” She pauses, reflecting on her journey. “While I was working, I was also saving money so I could start my own thing. I began with a small table where I sold things I received from Senegal—accessories, shea butter,” she says.
In that moment, she effortlessly switches to her native Senegalese language, speaking a few words to a client inside the shop while continuing to manage her work and the conversation.
As I asked questions, I made sure to observe the details—the expressions on people’s faces, the lively atmosphere, and the constant flow of clients coming in and out.
“It’s actually the table that brought this shop to life,” Yacin affirms, reflecting on her journey. “No one helped me; I did this with my own money, money I earned here in Morocco.” She pauses, then adds, “Apart from the Oum Al Banin Association, because I was pregnant with my sixth child, whom I brought with me here. They took care of my child.”
Her gratitude for the association is clear as she continues, “Especially for watching over my kids while I worked. They helped me a lot. They took care of my child while I worked.”
Yacin explains further, “When I gave birth, they helped me prepare the legal papers for my child. They looked after him for three months, so I could continue working on my business during the day. I’d pick him up in the evening.”
With pride and satisfaction, she says, “It was actually them who gave me the courage to keep working. If it weren’t for them, I would have had to return to Senegal because it was a bit difficult.” She pauses for a moment, reflecting on how far she’s come. “Now they also offer training, and we’re integrated into their programs,” she adds.
“Really interesting and beneficial,” she continues. “As African immigrants, we’ve learned a lot from these trainings, like aesthetics. I already knew some of it from my country—things like hair coloring and so on. But I also took the pastry training, which I really enjoyed. I participated a lot in that.” “Oum Al Banin has helped many Sub-Saharan African migrants,” she concludes, her voice filled with gratitude.
“When I started my business, I only had a small table where I displayed my items,” Yacin says, her voice filled with confidence. “People here in Souk Al Had know me for my sincerity.”
“One day, I got a call from someone offering me a boutique. He told me, ‘If you want a shop, I can give it to you, and you can pay monthly.’ I agreed right away,” she recalls, describing the leap from her humble table to her current store. “That’s how I got my boutique.”
“I saved up enough money to pay for two months’ rent here,” she adds.
“It’s because of that table and the accessories I sold that I’m here today, with my own boutique,” Yacin says with pride.
She explains further, “I get my products from Senegal. There are people who come with their cars, bringing accessories, wigs, shea butter, and all the items I sell here. I buy from them and sell it in my shop,” she continues, all while carefully applying eyelashes to her client, who listens intently.
« Sometimes, we ask our parents to buy things for us, and we pay for the shipping, the flights, and so on, so that we can get them quickly, » she says.
The products she sells—ranging from accessories and wigs to shea butter—hold particular appeal for many Moroccans, especially women. Items like shea butter, known for its natural moisturizing properties, are widely used in Moroccan beauty routines. Wigs and hair accessories are increasingly popular among young Moroccan women who enjoy experimenting with fashion and personal style. By providing access to these imported goods, Yacin not only meets a growing demand but also plays a small yet meaningful role in the local market’s diversity and vitality.
Photo by Malika Akestour
“Moroccans always say, ‘You’ll die here in Morocco if the king gives you a house, because you love Morocco so much,’” Yacin laughs, recalling the popular saying.
“I’m not sure, but I truly love them. Honestly, if it weren’t for the Moroccans, I would have gone back to Senegal,” she adds. “I love them—the Moroccan tourists and the residents alike. It’s because of them that I’ve decided to stay here in Morocco,” she affirms.
“I’ve been here in Morocco for two years now. I know a lot of Moroccans—they’re kind and generous people,” Yacin says warmly.
When asked whether she sees herself contributing to the Moroccan economy, she responds without hesitation: “A lot. I contribute a lot. I have my boutique; I pay rent every month. I pay for Wi-Fi, taxis, and all the merchandise I sell. I handle everything myself.”
Yacin was genuinely pleased to see someone interested in sharing her story and shedding light on the contributions of African women in Morocco. Eager to help, she immediately referred me to another Senegalese woman who also owns a small shop in the same souk, just a five-minute walk away. Without hesitation, she made a quick phone call to ask if her friend would be open to speaking with me. As soon as she received confirmation, Yacin turned to the Senegalese woman sitting nearby and kindly asked her to accompany me to the shop.
From One Woman to Another: Echoes of Strength
As soon as I stepped into Amindor’s Magazine, I was greeted with a warm smile and a welcoming presence. Amindor, known by everyone as Maria, is a 36-year-old woman from Senegal. She’s a wife and a mother to two young daughters—one is six years old, the other is four.
Maria in her boutique
Photo by Malika Bouabid.
Maria moved to Morocco in 2016 in search of better opportunities. « The journey wasn’t complicated for me, » she said. « I came here to work. At first, I worked as a housemaid. Then I decided to take a training course in beauty and aesthetics for three years. »
After completing her training, she started working at a salon in Hay Salam. « Eventually, I thought—why not open my own place? » she said.
That step was not without its struggles. « It was a bit difficult, not easy at all. But thank God, things got better, little by little, » she added with a soft laugh. « Shwia shwia, » she said, using the Moroccan Arabic expression for step by step.
Maria’s decision to leave domestic work was rooted in her desire for independence. « Working in someone’s house is not sustainable. When you’re young, maybe it’s manageable, but once you get married and have children, it becomes harder, » she explained. « I wanted a skill, a profession. That way, even if I’m home with my kids, I can still work and earn money. I can be independent. »
She began by offering beauty services from home. « Clients would come to my house, » she said. « Then I thought, why not have a small shop of my own? »
Her opportunity came when another Senegalese woman, who had been renting a space for her business, decided to return to Senegal. « She called me and said, ‘If you want, you can take over the space.’ So I did. That’s how I started. »
Today, Maria runs a small but thriving salon in Agadir. As she worked on a customer’s hair during our interview, she smiled and said, « Most of my clients are Moroccan. I love them. I try to earn some floss, » she added, using the Darija word for money, laughing as we all joined in.
Photo by Malika Bouabid.
« Thank God, » she continued, « I really love Morocco. I feel comfortable here. As they say, Morocco and Senegal are like family. »
But adjusting to life in a new country wasn’t always smooth. « When you come to a country for the first time, it’s not easy. You meet people you don’t like. But over time, you learn how to live among them. »
All of Maria’s products come from Senegal. « I buy them there, and they ship them to me here, » she said.
She now lives with her husband, who works at a call center, and their two daughters. « My first daughter was born here in Morocco. The second one was born in Senegal during the COVID-19 pandemic, » she recalled. « That time was very difficult. »
Maria’s story is a reflection of resilience, hope, and quiet determination. From a foreign land to a place she now calls home, she has built a business with her own hands, one client at a time.
Despite the many challenges they face, migrant women play a vital role in Morocco’s economic and social fabric,” says Jamila Ait Belal, president of the Oum Al Banin Association.
She highlights their contributions across various sectors: “They work as hairdressers, seamstresses, and traders, and they actively take part in community and cultural initiatives—especially those related to migration and women’s rights.”
“In addition to their professional and civic engagement,” she continues, “migrant women help foster cultural diversity and contribute significantly to the informal economy, particularly within neighborhoods and local markets.”
Photo by Malika Bouabid.
In the Eyes of an Expert: Understanding African Women’s Migration to Morocco
African migration to Morocco has undergone a profound transformation over the years. Khalid Mouna, anthropologist and migration expert, explains that it has shifted from being largely a form of transit migration to becoming, in part, a settlement migration. “Repressive policies and the closure of borders for legal migration have significantly changed the situation,” he says. This shift, he adds, is also closely linked to regional political instability, particularly after the fall of Gaddafi’s regime in Libya. “Migration in Morocco does not evolve in isolation, but is connected to what is happening in the region.”
For women, migration brings its own complex set of challenges. According to Mouna, the adaptation of African migrant women to Moroccan society is not merely a question of mobility. “When we talk about forms of adaptation, we are primarily dealing with individual journeys, but we must also take into account the policies of host countries, which either allow or hinder integration within society,” he explains. In Morocco, he says, the country is still far from achieving real integration. “We lack integration channels, both for women and men,” Mouna emphasizes. “The observatories we have in the kingdom regarding migration tend to adopt a security-focused approach, only reporting on migration policy with figures reflecting the number of people arrested or deported.”
He points out that the migration issue is not being taken seriously at the policy level. “The current political actors have neither the knowledge nor the competence on the subject, whether it concerns the integration of women or men,” he adds.
When it comes to the economic contribution of African migrant women, Mouna believes the issue is closely linked to the broader challenge of integration. “To evaluate the impact of these women on the national economy, it would be necessary to carry out studies at the national level, or at least in three or four major cities, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches,” he says. Unfortunately, academic researchers lack the financial means to conduct such research, and the state does not provide the necessary resources. “It is possible that some studies have been funded by international organizations, but personally, I do not have any data I can rely on to answer this question.”
Agadir, Morocco
Photo on Unsplash
Mouna also notes that female migration has always existed; the key difference today lies in how it is perceived. “The factors driving this migration remain the same: either fleeing an unstable political situation, particularly in war zones where women are often the primary victims, or seeking a better future, just like men,” he explains. What has changed, according to him, is the lens through which we view it. “We now pay more attention to female migration, which is actually a form of democratization of the choice to migrate — a process that now affects both men and women.”
While experts like Khalid Mouna point to the structural gaps in policy and research surrounding migration in Morocco, those working on the ground witness the everyday impact of migrant women. Jamila, the president of the Oum Al Banin Association, has worked closely with migrant communities for years. She sees their presence not as a statistic, but as a force shaping the social and economic life of cities like Agadir.
“Despite the many challenges they face, migrant women play a vital role in Morocco’s economic and social fabric,” Jamila said. “They contribute across various sectors, working as hairdressers, seamstresses, traders, and actively participating in community and cultural initiatives—especially those focused on migration and women’s rights.”
In addition to their professional and civic engagement, Jamila emphasized their role in strengthening the fabric of Moroccan society.“Migrant women help foster cultural diversity and contribute significantly to the informal economy, particularly in neighborhoods and local markets,” she added.
Malika Akestour
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DISCLAIMER: This content is produced as part of the Move Africa project, commissioned by the African Union Commission and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the GIZ or the African Union.
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Malika Akestour is a PhD researcher specializing in media and politics, with a particular focus on the impact of social media on voting behavior. As a journalist, she covers a range of pressing topics, including environmental challenges, migration, and social issues. She regularly contributes to the Arabic team at the Washington-based International Center for Journalists (IJNet).
