Morocco eu water partnership secures €348m funding boost

Morocco and the European Union have officially launched a €348 million ($370 million) initiative to bolster the North African nation’s National Water Plan (PNE). The program, unveiled in Rabat, combines grants and low-interest loans from EU institutions and European development banks under the «Team Europe» approach.

The funding package includes €48 million in grants from the EU, supplemented by €300 million in concessional loans from Germany’s Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), and France’s Agence française de développement (AFD). The agreement was signed by Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment and Water alongside EU representatives, the ambassadors of Germany, Italy, and France—who led the joint financing effort.

This collaboration aims to enhance water resource management amid climate change challenges, strengthen resilience against extreme weather events like droughts and floods, protect groundwater reserves, and reinforce institutional capacities within Morocco’s water sector.

Nizar Baraka, Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, emphasized that the country has already adapted its water strategy to address severe drought conditions. He stated that this new program will further solidify sustainable water preservation efforts in response to climate pressures and unpredictable weather patterns.

Philippe Lalliot, France’s ambassador to Morocco, highlighted the AFD’s pivotal role in the initiative. Dimiter Tzantchev, EU Ambassador to Morocco, framed the program within the broader Morocco-EU Green Partnership and Mediterranean Pact, designed to tackle shared climate challenges through strengthened cooperation.

Robert Dölger, Germany’s ambassador, underscored KfW’s focus on climate adaptation and groundwater conservation. Meanwhile, Italy’s ambassador, Pasquale Salzano, pointed out that Italy’s contribution aligns with its commitment to gender equality as a key driver of the program’s success.

The initiative will directly support Morocco’s National Water Plan and the 2020-2027 National Drinking Water and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI), reinforcing long-term water security and sustainable agricultural practices.