In a significant move to bolster water infrastructure, a 348 million euro (approximately 3.7 billion dirhams) funding agreement was signed in Rabat this Tuesday. This financial package, involving the European Union and several key European cooperation agencies, is dedicated to implementing a comprehensive water program across Morocco.

A strategic partnership for water management

The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Equipment and Water, where Minister Nizar Baraka joined the ambassadors of the EU, France, Germany, and Italy to formalize the deal. This three-year initiative builds upon the strategic foundations laid during the November 2024 summit between King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Leading the technical coordination of the project is the French Development Agency (AFD), working alongside Germany‘s KfW development bank and Italy‘s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP). Philippe Lalliot, the newly appointed French Ambassador to Morocco, highlighted during his first official engagement that France has already invested nearly one billion euros in the Kingdom‘s water sector to date.

Focus on rural irrigation and climate resilience

The EU Ambassador to Morocco, Dimiter Tzantchev, emphasized that the 348 million euros will specifically target rural communities, improving access to both potable water and agricultural irrigation. He noted that the European Union considers water a top priority, particularly as the region faces the growing challenges of climate change.

During the event, Minister Nizar Baraka outlined the national roadmap for water security, which is being implemented under the guidance of King Mohammed VI. The current strategy utilizes 26 operational dams to irrigate approximately 1.5 million hectares of land. A major short-term objective is to derive 60% of the nation’s drinking water supply from desalination plants.

Securing the Kingdom’s future

“Mastering water is mastering our destiny,” Nizar Baraka stated, underscoring the existential importance of the resource. He confirmed that the ministry is committed to executing this support program with high standards of governance and efficient, results-oriented management.

The German Ambassador also praised the high level of cooperation between Morocco and Germany, specifically through the KfW, in this strategic sector. As the Kingdom continues to face water stress, this European funding provides essential resources to accelerate the national water strategy. By integrating desalination, dam construction, and rural supply, Morocco aims to secure its agricultural, social, and economic future.