Casablanca – Morocco and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have reaffirmed and expanded their strategic partnership with a new roadmap designed to accelerate the implementation of large-scale development projects through 2029. This renewed commitment reflects decades of collaboration, with cumulative funding now totaling $16 billion, covering over 150 projects across various sectors.
The announcement follows a high-level workshop held in Rabat that brought together more than 100 representatives from the Moroccan government, the AfDB, and ministerial project units. The event served as a platform to review the performance of the current project portfolio and outline measures to boost its efficiency and alignment with Morocco’s national development agenda.
A dynamic portfolio of ongoing projects
Currently, Morocco and the AfDB are managing an active portfolio valued at approximately $3.1 billion. These funds are directed toward 32 major projects supporting structural reforms and infrastructure expansion. According to Achraf Tarsim, the AfDB’s Country Manager for Morocco, these initiatives aim to enhance the Kingdom’s competitiveness and investment attractiveness.
“This level of engagement illustrates the strength, depth, and vitality of our partnership,” Tarsim noted during the portfolio review session.
Targeting national priorities
The joint review focused on identifying bottlenecks in project execution, proposing actionable solutions, and strengthening coordination among stakeholders. The goal is to ensure that the development projects directly contribute to Morocco’s 2024–2029 national strategy, which emphasizes inclusive growth, social equity, and resilience to external shocks.
The strategic roadmap features two core pillars:
- Promoting inclusive economic growth through the development of human capital, skills, entrepreneurship, and employment.
- Building resilience via sustainable infrastructure in sectors such as water, energy, transportation, and sanitation.
Key investments in the last three years
In just the past three years, the AfDB has mobilized more than $2.1 billion in new funding for Morocco. This financing has been spread across a range of sectors including:
- Human and social development
- Financial sector modernization
- Water and sanitation infrastructure
- Energy and transport
- Territorial development
- Agriculture and industrial growth
This multi-sectoral approach reflects the Bank’s efforts to support Morocco’s ambitions for balanced territorial development, reduced regional disparities, and improved quality of life.
Major projects with regional impact
Among the most notable projects backed by the AfDB is the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, one of the largest solar power plants in the world. The Bank has also been instrumental in funding the development of Nador West Med Port, which is positioned to become a key hub in regional maritime trade.
Other infrastructure improvements supported by AfDB include investments in Morocco’s road, rail, air, and port networks—critical assets in light of the country’s preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Water security and climate resilience
Facing recurrent droughts and growing water scarcity, Morocco has prioritized investments in water infrastructure. The AfDB has responded with more than $1.6 billion in financing for projects such as seawater desalination and improved wastewater treatment systems. These efforts not only aim to secure water resources but also contribute to climate resilience and sustainable rural development.
Longstanding partnership
Since it began operations in Morocco in 1978, the African Development Bank has financed more than 150 development projects, with cumulative investments now reaching nearly $16 billion. These span critical sectors such as:
- Transportation
- Energy
- Agriculture
- Social protection
- Water and sanitation
- Governance
- Financial systems
This enduring partnership is guided by shared goals of sustainable development and social advancement. The Bank’s interventions in Morocco are considered among its most extensive and diversified in Africa.
Looking ahead
With the 2024–2029 strategy now underway, both Morocco and the AfDB have signaled a clear intention to deepen their collaboration and expand the scope of development initiatives. The new action plan derived from the recent portfolio review aims to optimize existing projects while ensuring future investments are more integrated, inclusive, and responsive to Morocco’s evolving needs.
As Morocco continues its push toward becoming a regional economic and logistical hub, the partnership with the AfDB remains a cornerstone of its broader development vision.
