EU commits €348 million to boost Morocco’s water resilience

In a landmark move to strengthen water security in Morocco, the European Union and key European development agencies have finalized a €348 million funding agreement—equivalent to approximately 3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams—dedicated to advancing the country’s water sector. The agreement was signed in Rabat at the Ministry of Equipment and Water, with Minister Nizar Baraka and ambassadors from the EU, France, Germany, and Italy in attendance.

This three-year initiative builds on a prior partnership framework established in November 2024, following a high-level meeting in Rabat between King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron. The new funding aims to expand access to clean drinking water and support agricultural irrigation in rural communities, directly addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change.

Several European development partners are collaborating on the project, including the French Development Agency (AFD), Germany’s KfW public development bank, and Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP). The AFD has taken a leading role in coordinating the effort, having already contributed over €1 billion to Morocco’s water sector in recent years.

French Ambassador Philippe Lalliot, marking his first official engagement in the Kingdom, praised the AFD’s contributions and reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s water security. Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Morocco Dimiter Tzantchev emphasized the bloc’s prioritization of water-related challenges, stating, “Water security is at the heart of our cooperation, especially in the face of climate pressures.”

During the signing ceremony, Minister Baraka outlined Morocco’s National Water Strategy, highlighting its reliance on 26 operational dams that currently irrigate around 1.5 million hectares of farmland. He also underscored the country’s ambitious goal to source 60% of its potable water from desalination plants in the near future. “Those who control water control their future,” Baraka asserted, stressing the strategic importance of sustainable water management.

He further pledged that the Ministry would implement the EU-backed program with a focus on efficient governance and measurable outcomes, expressing gratitude to the ambassadors for their unwavering support.

German Ambassador, who is concluding his mission in Morocco, commended the robust Morocco-Germany partnership through KfW’s involvement in this critical sector. The funding injects renewed momentum into Morocco’s efforts to mitigate water stress and accelerate the rollout of its national water strategy—spanning desalination, dam construction, agricultural irrigation, and rural water supply. The stakes extend beyond infrastructure; they are vital to the country’s hydric, agricultural, and social stability.