Rabat – The French Development Agency (AFD) mobilized €610 million for development projects in Morocco last year. Mihoub Mezouaghi, director of AFD in Morocco, described the agency’s engagement in the North African country as “historical,” saying it testifies to its commitment to support Morocco’s key reforms.
Speaking during a meeting of AFD’s 30th anniversary in Morocco held on January 31, Mezouaghi stressed that several major projects were implemented last year. In particular, he recalled the agency’s support to Morocco’s social protection project that contributes to the country’s socio-economic development.
The project is aimed at expanding mandatory health insurance by the end of 2022, benefiting an additional 22 million Moroccans by covering the cost of treatment, medication, and hospitalization.
On Morocco’s agriculture, Mezouaghi noted that the agency supports the country’s agriculture program “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030.”
The national program intends to develop Morocco’s forest spaces and strengthen their productive capacities, preserve biodiversity, as well as create direct jobs and increase the annual income of ecotourism.
He also recalled AFD’s commitment to support social sectors and fight against social inequalities, emphasizing that it has diversified its offer by supporting innovative projects in Morocco.
Focusing on the various projects with impacts for Moroccans, the official highlighted that AFD Group has financed over 150 projects since 2010. The implemented projects mainly focused on providing access to water, sanitation, and energy, boosting the economy, preserving natural resources, and encouraging equality.
Last year, AFD supported projects that contributed to the schooling of 31,000 students, including 14,000 girls, with the professional integration of 95% of young people trained in Delegated Management Institutes.
The projects also helped in saving 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions, and provided access to a sustainable sanitation service for 240,000 people.
Regarding AFD’s new strategic cycle for 2022-2026, Mezouaghi detailed that the agency will mobilize its financial and support tools to further support Morocco’s New Development Model (NDM).
In 2020, AFD allocated €150 million to support Morocco’s plan to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The institution has since been accelerating the financing of new structural policies in favor of the sustainable recovery of the Moroccan economy.
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