Foreword

These guidelines were prepared by the Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC), with the support of FSD Africa, in order to promote the development of financial instruments aimed at financing sustainable development and further expand opportunities for sustainable finance transactions.

As gender bonds are generally considered type of social bonds, the guidance provided in this document completes the previous guidelines published by AMMC. The present guidelines also introduce a new standard: the sustainability-linked bonds principles, that can be used to structure gender bond issuances as well as other types of sustainable bonds.

The present document provides useful information on mobilizing adequate financing for issuers interested in developing projects or activities aligned with gender equality and women’s empowerment. In addition, investors and other market participants can also rely on the guidelines for a better understanding of gender bonds and their relevance for sustainable finance approaches.