The Moroccan government and the European Union have initiated a landmark 3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams (348 million euros) program to bolster the country’s National Water Plan (PNE). This collaborative effort, unveiled in Rabat, draws on a blend of EU grants and concessional loans from three key European financial institutions under the Team Europe initiative.
This multi-faceted financing strategy includes a 514.4 million Moroccan dirham (48 million euros) grant from the EU, supplemented by three concessional loans totaling approximately 3.2 billion Moroccan dirhams (300 million euros). These funds are channeled through the JEFIC network, with Germany’s KfW, Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), and France’s Agence française de développement (AFD) leading the financial contributions.
The program’s core objectives center on deepening hydrological data to address climate change impacts, strengthening resilience against extreme weather events like droughts and floods, protecting groundwater reserves, and enhancing institutional capacities within the water sector. Nizar Baraka, Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, emphasized that the initiative will fortify the country’s revised water model, ensuring sustainable water resource management amid climate challenges.
Philippe Lalliot, France’s Ambassador to Morocco, highlighted the pivotal role of the AFD in driving this initiative forward. Meanwhile, Dimiter Tzantchev, the EU Ambassador to Morocco, framed the program within the broader Morocco-EU Green Partnership and the Mediterranean Pact, both designed to tackle shared climate challenges through strengthened cooperation.
Robert Dölger, Germany’s Ambassador, underscored the KfW’s focus on climate adaptation and groundwater conservation. In contrast, Pasquale Salzano, Italy’s Ambassador, linked Italy’s participation to its commitment to gender equality, positioning it as a cornerstone for the program’s success.
By reinforcing the National Water Plan and the National Drinking Water and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI) 2020-2027, this initiative aims to secure long-term water security for Morocco while fostering sustainable development across the sector.
