Casablanca – The African Development Bank (AfDB) continues to play a central role in supporting Morocco’s development trajectory through a diversified and increasingly results-oriented cooperation framework. According to its 2025 Country Portfolio Performance Review, the Bank’s engagement in Morocco reflects both the depth of the partnership and its strategic alignment with the country’s long-term economic and social priorities.

As of September 2025, the AfDB’s active portfolio in Morocco comprised 36 operations with total commitments exceeding $3.76 billion. This portfolio, which spans eight key sectors, is widely considered solid in terms of quality, relevance, and risk management. Notably, none of the ongoing projects are classified as high risk, underscoring the overall soundness of the Bank’s operations in the country.

A portfolio anchored in infrastructure and strategic sectors

Infrastructure represents the backbone of AfDB financing in Morocco, accounting for around 61% of total commitments. Investments in transport, energy, water, and port infrastructure are designed to strengthen economic competitiveness, improve service delivery, and support territorial development.

Beyond infrastructure, AfDB-supported projects also target higher education, renewable energy, water security, logistics, and social inclusion. This sectoral diversification reflects Morocco’s development priorities and the Bank’s ten-year strategic framework, which emphasizes inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainability.

Implementation of the 2024–2029 Country Strategy Paper has progressed at a steady pace. Of the 17 projects planned for the 2024–2025 period, 14 had already been approved by mid-September 2025, representing nearly two-thirds of the planned financial envelope. Additional operations worth more than $1.28 billion were under preparation, signaling continuity in the cooperation agenda.

Leveraging partnerships and mobilizing co-financing

One of the defining features of AfDB cooperation with Morocco is its strong leverage effect. Approved operations have helped mobilize over $1.16 billion in co-financing, equivalent to almost the full volume of the Bank’s own financing.

This co-financing has been secured through close coordination with major international and regional partners, including the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Japan’s development cooperation agencies, the Islamic Development Bank, and Germany’s KfW. Such partnerships enhance project scale, reduce financing gaps, and promote alignment around shared development objectives.

In parallel, the AfDB has complemented its financial support with targeted technical assistance. These interventions include support for structuring public–private partnerships, particularly in large-scale infrastructure projects, with the aim of increasing private sector participation and improving project sustainability.

Measurable development results on the ground

The Bank’s cooperation with Morocco has translated into tangible outcomes across multiple sectors.

In higher education, AfDB-backed programs have expanded access to advanced training and strengthened human capital. Enrollment capacity has increased significantly in specialized fields such as medicine, pharmacy, and engineering, with a strong emphasis on gender inclusion. University housing capacity has also expanded nationwide, improving access for students from different regions.

In the energy sector, AfDB-supported investments have contributed to near-universal electrification, with the national access rate reaching 99.9%. Morocco’s renewable energy transition has accelerated, with the share of renewables in the energy mix rising to 45% in 2024. Installed renewable capacity has expanded substantially, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional leader in clean energy.

Water security, a critical challenge amid increasing climate stress, has also benefited from AfDB financing. Access to drinking water is now fully ensured in urban areas and nearly universal in rural regions. Large-scale projects aimed at securing and sustaining water supply have achieved high completion and disbursement rates, reflecting effective implementation.

In transport and logistics, AfDB-supported projects are improving connectivity and regional integration. Highway construction, port-related developments, and airport modernization projects have advanced steadily, generating employment and strengthening Morocco’s role as a logistical hub linking Africa, Europe, and the Atlantic.

Portfolio performance and remaining challenges

From an operational perspective, the AfDB portfolio in Morocco is relatively young, with an average project age of less than three years. The overall disbursement rate stood at approximately 49% in September 2025, a level considered reasonable given the large number of newly approved operations.

While no projects are categorized as high risk, around one-fifth of operations have been flagged for slow disbursement, representing roughly $612 million. Some financing instruments are technically eligible for cancellation due to delays, including components in the energy sector affected by prolonged procedural and post-pandemic constraints.

Despite these challenges, the Bank reports a clear improvement trend. The share of projects facing execution difficulties has declined significantly since early 2024, indicating progress in addressing structural bottlenecks.

Strengthening impact through better project preparation

Looking ahead, the AfDB emphasizes the importance of improving upstream project preparation to further enhance impact. The establishment of a well-coordinated project pipeline, developed in close collaboration with technical and financial partners, is viewed as a key lever for improving efficiency, predictability, and development outcomes.

The operational rollout of the 2025 Portfolio Performance Improvement Plan is expected to play a decisive role in consolidating recent gains. By addressing recurrent disbursement delays and reinforcing coordination mechanisms, the plan aims to maximize the contribution of AfDB financing to Morocco’s long-term development goals.

The African Development Bank’s cooperation with Morocco illustrates a mature and evolving partnership, combining substantial financial resources, strong institutional coordination, and a growing focus on results. As Morocco continues to invest in infrastructure, human capital, and climate resilience, the AfDB remains a pivotal partner in supporting the country’s development ambitions.