Eu backs Morocco with €348 million for water security
The European Union (EU) and key European cooperation agencies have finalized a landmark €348 million (3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams) funding agreement in Rabat to advance Morocco’s water infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.
The landmark agreement was signed at the Ministry of Equipment and Water headquarters, with Minister Nizar Baraka joining ambassadors from the EU, France, Germany, and Italy to formalize the three-year initiative.
The funding pool includes contributions from France’s Agence française de développement (AFD), Germany’s public development bank KfW, and Italy’s Caisse des Dépôts et Prêts (CDP). The AFD, serving as the project lead, has played a pivotal role in mobilizing this pan-European effort, with French contributions alone surpassing €1 billion to date in water-related projects across Morocco.
Newly appointed French Ambassador to Morocco, Philippe Lalliot, marked his first official engagement in the country by acknowledging the AFD’s critical role. He highlighted Morocco’s proactive approach to water security, particularly in rural areas, while praising the EU’s coordinated efforts in tackling climate-driven water challenges.
EU Ambassador to Morocco, Dimiter Tzantchev, emphasized that the funding will prioritize rural communities, ensuring both potable water access and agricultural irrigation. “Water security remains a top priority for the EU, especially in the face of climate change,” Tzantchev stated.
Minister Baraka outlined Morocco’s national water strategy, driven by King Mohammed VI, which currently relies on 26 operational dams to irrigate 1.5 million hectares. He stressed the Kingdom’s ambition to derive 60% of its drinking water from desalination plants in the near term. “Those who fail to control their water supply cannot control their future,” Baraka declared.
The minister also underscored the ministry’s commitment to implementing this program with enhanced governance and measurable outcomes, expressing gratitude to the ambassadors for their steadfast support. Germany’s outgoing ambassador highlighted the robust Morocco-Germany partnership, noting that the KfW’s involvement in water projects reflects the strategic importance of this sector.
The €348 million EU investment reinforces Morocco’s multi-faceted approach to addressing water stress, encompassing desalination, dam construction, irrigation expansion, and rural development. Beyond infrastructure, the initiative directly impacts the country’s hydrological, agricultural, and social stability.
