Morocco secures €402m eu funding for water policy reforms

Morocco, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) delegation in the country and the embassies of Germany, Italy, and France, has launched a €402 million program to bolster the National Water Policy (PNE). The initiative, totaling 3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams, aims to enhance water resource governance through three key focus areas: improving water resource assessment, optimizing extreme weather management, and strengthening institutional capacities within the sector. Technical support and knowledge-sharing between Moroccan and European institutions are also part of the package.

The funding structure includes a €55 million grant from the EU, complemented by three loans totaling 3.2 billion dirhams, secured from European financial institutions.

Morocco faces severe water stress, exacerbated by climate change, rising demand, seven consecutive years of drought, and significant rainfall deficits. To tackle these challenges, the Kingdom has implemented a series of measures, including the construction of dams, development of hydraulic interconnections, wastewater recycling, and water conservation programs in both potable and irrigation networks.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Morocco has prioritized seawater desalination as a critical solution to secure its water future. The strategy aims to meet over 50% of drinking water needs by 2030 and support large-scale agricultural irrigation, ultimately reinforcing food sovereignty.