EU grants Morocco $402 million to boost water security amid climate crisis
Rabat has secured a significant financial boost to tackle its pressing water challenges. The Moroccan government, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) delegation in Morocco and the embassies of Germany, Italy, and France, has launched a 402.2 million dollar program—equivalent to 3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams—dedicated to funding the National Water Policy (PNE).
The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Equipment and Water, is designed to reinforce the country’s water sector governance through three core objectives: enhancing water resource monitoring, improving the management of extreme weather events, and strengthening institutional capacities. The program will also facilitate technical assistance and foster knowledge-sharing between Moroccan and European institutions.
The funding structure includes a 514.4 million dirham contribution from the EU, complemented by three loans totaling 3.2 billion dirhams, secured from European financial institutions.
The Kingdom faces severe water stress, exacerbated by climate change, rising demand, seven consecutive years of drought, and persistent rainfall deficits. To address these pressing issues, Morocco has rolled out multiple projects aimed at securing water access, including the construction of dams, expansion of hydraulic interconnections, wastewater recycling, and the implementation of water-saving measures in potable water and irrigation networks.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Rabat has prioritized seawater desalination as a key strategy to bolster water security. This approach aims to meet over 50% of the country’s drinking water needs by 2030, while also supporting large-scale agricultural irrigation to enhance food sovereignty.
