The program “ Intelak », intended to support and finance small and medium-sized Moroccan businesses, finds itself at the center of a controversy after the discovery of major irregularities in the management of credit requests by bank officials.
An internal audit carried out by a major Moroccan bank revealed serious failings, ranging from file manipulation to document falsification, involving several branches located around Casablanca. These anomalies led to the transfer of the files of the incriminated officials to the legal department of the bank, with a possible referral to the king's prosecutor in Casablanca-Anfa.
An internal audit reveals serious dysfunctions
The audit highlighted questionable practices in the evaluation of funding requests. Among the irregularities noted: unjustified refusals based on supposed shortcomings in project feasibility studies. There is of course the falsification of invoices and certifications to have requests approved, as well as the manipulation of project leaders. Some were even encouraged to modify the activity of their companies to meet the eligibility criteria.
These practices, in contradiction with the initial objective of the program aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, have contributed to an increase in the refusal rate of “Intelaka” loans, reaching up to 40% in recent months. Additionally, some agencies allegedly favored clients by accepting falsified documents in exchange for commissions, in partnership with third-party accountants and contractors.
Faced with these dysfunctions, several banks participating in the program have tightened their financing conditions. The new requirements include: a limitation of the amount of credits to 150,000 dirhams for businesses and 100,000 dirhams for self-employed people.
The strict requirement for tangible evidence of viability, such as detailed feasibility studies and invoices from suppliers with at least one year of existence, is also required. These measures, although they aim to limit abuses, risk further slowing down access to financing for the most modest entrepreneurs, contradicting the spirit of the Intelaka program.
Damage to confidence in the system
The revelations about the embezzlement surrounding the “Intilaka” program are a blow to the credibility of the banking sector and public policies intended to support entrepreneurship. While this program was supposed to represent a breath of fresh air for young entrepreneurs and SMEs, it seems to have become fertile ground for fraudulent practices and abuse of power.
These irregularities also raise broader questions about the transparency and governance of public programs. If corrective measures are not quickly put in place to restore confidence, there is a great risk that these initiatives, although essential for the Moroccan economy, will lose their legitimacy.
In short, the “Intelaka” program scandal is not only a matter of banking embezzlement, but also an alarm signal on the need for an overhaul of control and transparency mechanisms in the allocation of financing. public.
Beyond the dysfunctions revealed by the internal audit, the scandal surrounding the “Intelaka” program highlights a pressing need for moralization in the banking sector in Morocco. The fraudulent practices observed, ranging from the falsification of documents to the acceptance of hidden commissions, reveal a deep flaw in the internal control mechanisms. If these abuses are not curbed, they risk undermining citizens' confidence not only in banking institutions, but also in the State, guarantor of the fairness and transparency of public initiatives.
Imperative of moralization of the banking system
Effective moralization requires the establishment of rigorous controls at each stage of the financing process. It is essential to strengthen regular audits, severely sanction officials involved in embezzlement and protect whistleblowers to encourage the reporting of illicit practices. Furthermore, specialized training on banking ethics and transparent management should be compulsory for all agents involved in the management of public credits.
The crisis of confidence sparked by the revelations around “Intelaka” also calls for an overhaul of transparency mechanisms in the management of public financing programs. The establishment of a dedicated digital portal, allowing entrepreneurs to monitor the progress of their credit applications in real time, could represent an effective solution to limit abuse and ensure greater fairness in the processing of files.
Likewise, an annual report detailing program performance, credit acceptance rates, as well as the most funded sectors would be a valuable tool to measure the real impact of “Intelaka”. The publication of this data would not only reassure entrepreneurs, but also guarantee citizen control over the use of funds allocated to this program.
These moral and transparency measures, although essential, will only bear fruit if they are accompanied by strong political will. The “Intilaka” scandal could thus become a starting point for a broader reform, establishing a fairer, more inclusive banking and economic system in line with the aspirations of Moroccan citizens.
