The first official visit by Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), to Morocco has underscored the North African nation’s pivotal position as a bridge between Africa and Europe.

Strengthening strategic partnerships

During the final leg of her visit, coinciding with the 21st anniversary of the EIB’s permanent presence in Morocco, Ms. Calviño met with Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad.

At the conclusion of these discussions, the EIB president reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s growth trajectory, economic prosperity and social development. She described the country as “a strategic partner for Europe” that serves as “a pillar of stability, security and shared prosperity” for both Africa and the European neighborhood.

Ms. Calviño emphasized that this visit reinforces the strategic partnership between the EIB and Morocco, highlighting the nation’s contributions to regional stability and development.

A focused transport investment plan

The EIB president also met with Nadia Fettah, Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, to review cooperation initiatives and investment plans. During her stay in Rabat, she signed agreements combining European loans and grants dedicated to transport and structural resilience.

Specifically, the transport plan includes a €365 million financing package to enhance the resilience of Morocco’s rail and highway networks. Of this amount, €15 million comes as a European grant for climate adaptation measures on the rail network, managed by the Moroccan National Railways Office, while €50 million is provided as an EIB loan. The remaining €300 million targets improved resilience and safety for highways, administered by Morocco’s National Highway Company.

This initiative aligns with the EIB’s broader strategy to support partner countries in developing safer, more sustainable transport systems.

Decades of partnership and development

Over nearly five decades of cooperation with Morocco, the EIB has mobilized over €12 billion to support diverse sectors including SMEs, renewable energy, healthcare, water and education.

During her visit, Ms. Calviño made a symbolic stop at a public school in Rabat to observe a musical performance by local students as part of the “Morocco 88” project. This initiative promotes youth development through extracurricular music clubs in Moroccan high schools, supported by both the Moroccan Ministry of National Education and the EIB.

The EIB president also commended Morocco’s economic reforms under King Mohammed VI, which have strengthened the country’s macroeconomic and financial framework. These reforms have bolstered international investor confidence, enabling large-scale investment mobilization.