Morocco’s Electricity & Rural Electrification Program: Major Progress & Renewable Energy Boost

Rabat, Morocco – A €104.7 million financing agreement signed between Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (ONEE) and the African Development Bank (Poor) aims to significantly bolster the country’s water supply and modernize its infrastructure, according to a statement released by the ONEE on December 10, 2024.

The agreement, finalized during the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) in Rabat and witnessed by Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, and BAD President Akinwumi Adesina, will focus on digitizing ONEE’s processes, increasing potable water production in the urban centers of Asfalou, Bouhouda, and Agourai, and improving water supply systems across several regions of the Kingdom. This marks the BAD’s first support for the ONEE in operations specifically focused on the digitalization of its water activities, the ONEE stated.

The funding is intended to address growing demands for potable water and enhance the efficiency of water resource management. According to the BAD, the project is expected to contribute to improved water security and sustainable development in Morocco. The agreement also includes a guarantee convention signed with the National Society of Guarantee and Enterprise Financing, led by Hicham Zanati Serghini.

This latest collaboration builds upon a long-standing partnership between the ONEE and the BAD, dating back to 1978. The BAD has contributed a total of 9 billion dirhams to projects within Morocco’s water and sanitation sectors. The ONEE is described as the BAD’s primary partner in Morocco, and a key collaborator internationally, according to the BAD.

The financing agreement comes as Morocco increasingly focuses on innovative solutions to address water scarcity. Recent initiatives, including investments in desalination technology, aim to provide 1.7 billion cubic meters of water annually, according to reports. The current project complements these efforts by modernizing existing infrastructure and improving operational efficiency.

The agreement confirms the confidence of international lenders in the ONEE’s strategy and its ability to deliver innovative projects, the ONEE stated. The project’s success is seen as crucial for supporting Morocco’s broader economic development goals and improving the quality of life for its citizens.