Cooperative Law and the Evolution of Morocco’s Cooperative Movement: A conversation with Aicha Errifaai, Director General of ODCO

In this edition of the ICA Legal Interview Series, Santosh Kumar, ICA Director of Legislation, speaks with Mme Aicha Errifaai, Director General of the Office du Développement de la Coopération (ODCO) in Morocco, about the evolution of the country’s cooperative movement, its legal framework and institutional ecosystem.

The conversation examines the role of ODCO, the implementation of Law No. 112-12, and continuing questions around governance, access to finance, cooperative identity and sustainable development. It also looks ahead to the opportunities presented by youth, women, digitalisation, climate resilience and stronger cooperation across Africa, while reflecting on Morocco’s engagement with the ICA and the Cooperative Cultural Heritage Programme. Mme Errifaai is also a member of the ICA Working Group on Cooperative Cultural Heritage, bringing an additional perspective to the conversation on the role of cooperatives in preserving and promoting cooperative heritage.

We are grateful to Mme Aicha Errifaai for her time and her thoughtful replies to our questions.