Morocco water policy eu funds major investment in Rabat

The Kingdom of Morocco has secured a substantial financial boost to advance its National Water Policy, following a landmark agreement with the European Union delegation in Rabat, alongside the embassies of Germany, Italy, and France. The initiative, valued at 3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams (equivalent to 402.2 million US dollars), marks a pivotal step in strengthening the country’s water governance framework.

As outlined in an official statement from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the program is designed to address three core priorities: deepening knowledge of water resources, enhancing the management of extreme weather events, and bolstering institutional capacities within the water sector. The initiative also includes technical support and knowledge-sharing initiatives between Moroccan and European institutions.

The funding structure comprises a 514.4 million dirham contribution from the European Union, complemented by three loans totaling 3.2 billion dirhams, secured from European financial institutions.

Morocco faces escalating water stress, driven by climate change, rising demand, seven consecutive years of drought, and severe rainfall deficits. To counter these pressures, the government has implemented a range of strategic projects, including the construction of new dams, expansion of hydraulic interconnections, wastewater recycling, and water conservation programs for both potable and irrigation networks.

A central pillar of the country’s water security strategy is the accelerated development of seawater desalination plants. This approach is set to supply over 50% of the nation’s drinking water needs by 2030 while also supporting large-scale agricultural irrigation, thereby reinforcing food sovereignty.