Casablanca – Morocco has secured $316 million in financing from the African Development Bank to support a broad program for the expansion and modernization of airport infrastructure, as the country prepares for continued growth in air traffic, tourism and international connectivity.

The financing agreement for the Airport Infrastructure Expansion and Modernization Program, known as PEMIA, was signed in Casablanca on September 29. The operation will be implemented through Morocco’s National Airports Office and forms part of a wider investment drive to upgrade the country’s aviation network ahead of 2030.

The financing comes as Morocco’s passenger traffic continues to increase. The national airport modernization strategy calls for the expansion of several major airports, with particular attention to Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier and Fez. The program is designed to provide additional capacity while upgrading facilities, security systems, navigation equipment and passenger services.

By 2030, the program is expected to raise annual passenger-handling capacity at Marrakech airport to 14 million passengers. Capacity is planned to reach five million passengers in Agadir, 3.6 million in Tangier and three million in Fez.

The planned expansion comes after several years of strong growth in Morocco’s air traffic. The country handled more than 30 million passengers through its airports in 2024, with traffic increasing substantially compared with the previous year. Growth has continued into 2026, supported by rising international tourism and stronger air connectivity with European, African and other international markets.

The new financing will cover more than the construction or enlargement of terminals. PEMIA includes upgrades to airport infrastructure, air navigation systems, safety and security equipment, baggage-handling facilities and digital passenger services.

Automated baggage-processing systems will form part of the modernization effort, alongside digital technologies designed to simplify passenger processing. These investments are intended to allow airports to handle larger numbers of travelers while improving operational efficiency and reducing pressure on existing facilities.

Security and navigation systems will also be upgraded. The objective is to ensure that increased capacity is accompanied by improvements in airport safety, aircraft movements and passenger management.

Morocco’s airport expansion is closely connected to the country’s broader tourism and economic objectives. The country recorded 19.8 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, while tourism receipts reached about $14.8 billion. During the first eight months of 2026, Morocco received 14.1 million visitors, keeping international travel on an upward trajectory.

The continued increase in tourism has placed greater importance on airport capacity, particularly in Marrakech and Agadir. Both destinations are major tourism centers with significant international passenger flows, while Tangier and Fez serve growing tourism, business and regional travel markets.

The modernization program is also being implemented as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. The tournament is expected to bring additional international visitors, supporters, teams, officials and media representatives, increasing demand for airport services.

The infrastructure program, however, extends beyond the requirements of the World Cup. Morocco’s Airports 2030 strategy represents a broader effort to modernize the national airport network and respond to expected traffic growth over the coming decade.

Casablanca Mohammed V Airport is at the center of this wider strategy. Its annual capacity is planned to increase from 14 million to 35 million passengers, while a new terminal with capacity for 20 million passengers is planned as part of the expansion. The project is expected to strengthen the airport’s role in international connections and provide additional capacity for Royal Air Maroc and other carriers.

The expansion of airports outside Casablanca is intended to create a more distributed network capable of handling rising passenger numbers across different regions. Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier and Fez are among the main facilities targeted for capacity increases and modernization.

At Agadir, for example, the airport expansion program is designed to substantially increase passenger capacity through a new terminal extension, the redevelopment of existing facilities and additional aircraft parking infrastructure. The objective is to accommodate growing tourism traffic while improving passenger processing.

Marrakech is expected to receive particular attention because of its importance to Morocco’s tourism sector. Reaching annual capacity of 14 million passengers by 2030 would allow the airport to accommodate substantially higher traffic while supporting the continued expansion of international connections.

The development of Tangier and Fez airports is similarly intended to respond to growing demand. Tangier’s planned capacity of 3.6 million passengers and Fez’s target of three million would provide additional room for tourism, business travel and regional connectivity.

The African Development Bank financing also has a broader continental dimension. The operation forms part of the bank’s Integrated Aviation Transformation Program for Africa, which aims to support the modernization, financing and integration of African air transport systems.

For Morocco, the financing adds to a wider relationship with the African Development Bank covering major infrastructure and development projects. Earlier in September, Morocco and the bank signed two additional financing agreements totaling about $474 million for projects involving skills development and railway infrastructure modernization.

The airport investment is expected to generate economic effects beyond aviation. Higher airport capacity can facilitate tourism, business travel, trade and air cargo activity, while improved airport operations can support logistics and related services.

The program is also expected to contribute to job creation during implementation, with several thousand employment opportunities anticipated, particularly for young people and women. Over the longer term, improved airport infrastructure could encourage additional public and private investment in tourism, logistics, hospitality, retail and transport services.

The modernization effort therefore combines physical expansion with technological and operational improvements. New infrastructure is being developed alongside digital systems, automated baggage handling, upgraded security equipment and improved air navigation facilities.

Morocco’s airport network is entering a period of substantial investment as passenger traffic, tourism and international connectivity continue to expand. The country’s preparations for major international events have added urgency to some projects, while longer-term demand is shaping the broader modernization strategy.

The $316 million African Development Bank financing will support this process by providing additional resources for the expansion and modernization of key airports. With capacity targets set for Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier and Fez, the program is intended to prepare the national aviation network for higher passenger volumes and changing mobility needs through 2030.

The investment also reflects the growing importance of air transport to Morocco’s tourism and economic development. As international arrivals increase and the country strengthens links with European, African and global markets, airports are becoming an increasingly important part of the national transport network.

The coming years will therefore see simultaneous investment in airport capacity, passenger services, aviation technology and connectivity. The scale of these projects is intended to ensure that Morocco’s airports can accommodate rising demand while maintaining safety, operational efficiency and service standards as the country approaches 2030.