Femise Network

17/06/2026

💬 Cluster Conversations: The Maghreb Series | Episode 5
What is the future of clusters in Morocco?

According to Zakaria Madani, clusters are at a turning point. To maximize their impact, they must evolve beyond traditional structures and embrace greater collaboration, digitalization, and international openness.
Strengthening these dimensions will be key to fostering innovation, competitiveness, and stronger integration into regional and global value chains.

▶️ Watch the full interview on YouTube: [https://youtu.be/9cMA9nBvR8k]

ANIMA Investment Network

16/06/2026

🌍 Can climate change hurt business performance?
We are pleased to share Policy Brief 13: “Climate Change Exposure and Financial Performance: Evidence from the Mediterranean Region” by Imen Khanchel and Cyrine Khiari.

Drawing on evidence from 566 firms across 24 countries, this policy brief shows that climate change exposure is already affecting firms’ financial performance across the Mediterranean. The findings reveal that climate-related risks have become a key business concern, with particularly strong impacts on climate-vulnerable and carbon-intensive sectors.

Key insights:
• Climate exposure lowers firms’ financial performance
• The effects have become stronger in the post-Paris Agreement era
• Polluting sectors are disproportionately affected
• Strong environmental governance helps improve resilience

💡 The brief also outlines policy recommendations to strengthen climate risk readiness, including improving climate risk disclosure, developing climate finance instruments, supporting vulnerable sectors, and enhancing regional cooperation on adaptation and resilience.

📄 Discover the full policy brief: [https://www.femise.org/en/articles-en/policy-brief-13-climate-change-exposure-and-financial-performance-evidence-from-the-mediterranean-region/]

How can Mediterranean countries better prepare businesses for the growing financial impacts of climate change?

15/06/2026

🎥 Cluster Conversations: The Maghreb Series | Episode 5
How can clusters become stronger engines of innovation and competitiveness?

In this episode, Zakaria Madani, Vice President of Maroc Clusters, shares his perspective on the current state of cluster development in Morocco and the key challenges ahead, from governance and financing to collaboration, digitalization, and internationalization.

He also discusses how stronger cooperation between clusters, universities, startups, and industry can help build more dynamic innovation ecosystems and strengthen integration into regional and global value chains.

▶️ Watch the full interview on YouTube: [https://youtu.be/9cMA9nBvR8k]

ANIMA Investment Network

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/06/2026

💬 Cluster Conversations: The Maghreb Series | Episode 4
Building competitive economies requires looking beyond sectors and understanding how entire value chains create opportunities for growth.

In this conversation, Iheb Samoud highlights the importance of adopting a value-chain approach to better identify high-potential industries, strengthen competitiveness, and support the development of more effective industrial and investment policies.

▶️ Watch the full interview on YouTube: [https://youtu.be/xg5NMd0oDd4]

08/06/2026

🎥 Cluster Conversations: The Maghreb Series | Episode 4
How can Tunisia build more competitive and innovative industrial ecosystems?

In this episode, Iheb Samoud explores the role of clusters and value-chain approaches in shaping investment policies, strengthening competitiveness, and identifying high-value growth opportunities for Tunisia.

Drawing on his experience in investment policy and economic development, he shares insights on the reforms needed to support clusters, improve the business environment, and foster stronger links between universities, research institutions, and industry.

▶️ Watch the full interview on YouTube:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/06/2026

💬 Cluster Conversations: The Maghreb Series | Episode 3
What could SMEs achieve if they had the right tools and support?

According to Mohammed BELHAJ, SMEs have the potential to create real economic and industrial transformations when given the means to grow, innovate, and compete.

▶️ Watch the full interview on YouTube: [https://youtu.be/zMVBo2zmOpQ]

02/06/2026

💳 Can digital financial inclusion unlock entrepreneurship in the South Mediterranean?

We are pleased to share Policy Brief 11: “Digital Financial Inclusion: A Silver Bullet for Entrepreneurship in South Mediterranean Countries” by Siham Matallah.

This policy brief examines the relationship between digital financial inclusion and entrepreneurship across Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia between 2006 and 2021. The findings show that expanding access to digital financial services can play a transformative role in fostering business creation and supporting inclusive economic growth.

Key insights:
• Digital financial inclusion has a strong positive impact on entrepreneurship
• A 1% increase in digital financial inclusion can generate a 5.79% increase in entrepreneurial activity
• Economic freedom strengthens the positive effects of digital financial inclusion
• Better digital access and fewer business barriers create more favorable environments for entrepreneurs

💡 The brief also outlines concrete policy recommendations to strengthen entrepreneurship, including expanding digital financial infrastructure, investing in digital literacy, promoting FinTech innovation, and creating a more enabling business environment. These measures can help reduce economic exclusion and support more inclusive and sustainable growth across the Mediterranean region.

📄 Discover the full policy brief: [https://shorturl.at/zYVKN]

What role do you think digital financial services can play in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses across the South Mediterranean?

01/06/2026

🎥 Cluster Conversations: The Maghreb Series | Episode 3
What does it take for SMEs to move up the value chain and become more competitive?

In this episode, Mohammed BELHAJ of Maroc PME discusses the opportunities and challenges facing SMEs in Morocco, from access to finance and talent to innovation, market access, and integration into industrial value chains.

He also highlights the role of support programs, clusters, and collaborative ecosystems in helping SMEs strengthen their capabilities and unlock their growth potential.

▶️ Watch the full interview on YouTube:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

24/05/2026

📢 New Publication | FEMISE Working Paper N°4
We are pleased to share the fourth publication in the FEMISE Working Paper Series: “Bridging Spatial and Skill Mismatches in Southern Mediterranean Countries: A Job Map Digital Solution for Tunisian Labour Market” by Amani ZAOUALI SAID & Anis Bouabid.

This paper examines the persistent challenge of spatial and skill mismatches in Tunisia, focusing on how regional disparities and labour market inefficiencies continue to limit access to employment opportunities, particularly for young graduates and vulnerable groups. Drawing on data-driven analysis, the study highlights:
• The impact of spatial and skill mismatches on youth unemployment and labour market inequalities
• Regional disparities that limit access to suitable employment opportunities
• The potential of digital and data-driven solutions to improve labour market efficiency
• The role of the Job Map application in connecting job seekers and employers through geographic proximity and skill compatibility

💡 The findings underline the importance of leveraging technology and labour market intelligence to support more inclusive employment policies, reduce regional inequalities, and improve access to opportunities for youth, women, and underserved communities.

📄 Read the full paper here: [https://shorturl.at/YV6bJ]

20/05/2026

💬 Cluster Conversations: The Maghreb Series | Episode 2

Innovation can come from anywhere, from researchers and engineers to workers on the production floor.

In this conversation, Amine Sellami highlights the importance of building organizations that foster collaboration, embrace ideas from all levels, and transform them into real value.

His insights also shed light on the role of clusters in strengthening innovation ecosystems and supporting more competitive industrial development in Tunisia and beyond.

▶️ Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eByRhxT