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Rabat – African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced €246 million in funding for the construction of the Guercif-Nador highway, spanning 104 kilometers.
The funding includes €200 million from the AfDB, and €46 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF).
The Guercif-Nador highway project aims to fortify the logistical capabilities of the Oriental region by streamlining access to the Nador West Med port and its upcoming business zone.
Beyond that, the project also seeks to alleviate transportation and vehicle maintenance costs while simultaneously improving road safety along the Guercif-Nador corridor.
The transport sector, a lynchpin in Morocco’s economic growth, contributes 15% to the country’s revenue and employs 5% of the active population. In 2022, it represented 2.8% of the national GDP.
The AfDB has emphasized that the project aligns with the ongoing modernization of transport infrastructure in Morocco, a strategy aimed at bolstering the country’s logistical competitiveness and overall appeal.
Notably, the highway is set to establish a crucial link between the Nador West Med and Morocco’s national highway network.
The connectivity is anticipated to attract more investments, create new economic opportunities, and stimulate job creation in the Oriental region.
Read also: AfDB Allocates €782 Million for Morocco’s Earthquake Recovery
An environmental and social impact assessment has also been conducted to evaluate the impact of the project on the region’s natural and human environments.
Morocco’s commitment to modernizing its transportation infrastructure aims to make investments in the country more appealing and to stimulate economic growth in various sectors.
Another notable project in the field has been the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, which is set to extend over 1,000 kilometers and enable faster and smoother shipping to Morocco’s southern provinces, in addition to making the provinces more accessible for tourists.
