Rabat – The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has obtained €104.7 million (MAD 1.15 billion) in financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), signaling a crucial advancement in efforts to boost water infrastructure and accessibility throughout Morocco.
The financing agreement was signed in Rabat by ONEE’s General Director, Tarik Hamane, and AfDB Vice President for Regional Development, Integration, and Service Delivery, Nnenna Nwabufo, during a ceremony on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum (AIF).
The event, attended by Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, and AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, marks a pivotal step in modernizing ONEE’s water management through digitalization.
The funding strives to address increasing water demands in key urban centers such as Asfalou, Bouhouda, and Agourai, while enhancing the efficiency of water supply systems across several regions, helping Morocco tackle challenges linked to climate change and population growth.
“This financing marks a first in our collaboration with AfDB, targeting innovative projects that incorporate digital tools into water management,” ONEE stated.
This initiative is expected to improve the efficiency and sustainability of ONEE’s operations, aligning with Morocco’s broader water management strategy.
Hamane also signed a loan guarantee convention with Hicham Zanati Serghini, Director General of the National Company for Business Guarantee and Financing as part of the agreement, further strengthening the deal’s framework.
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The collaboration between ONEE and the AfDB is long-standing, dating back to 1978, with the bank investing nearly MAD 9 billion ($880 million) in Morocco’s water and sanitation sectors. Over the years, this partnership has supported transformative projects across the country, establishing ONEE as AfDB’s leading partner both nationally and internationally.
The new financing reflects the confidence international donors have in ONEE’s ability to carry out innovative and impactful projects, arriving at a critical time as Morocco faces escalating water scarcity and infrastructure challenges.
The country is enduring its worst drought in nearly six years, with rainfall down by over 40% compared to normal levels. Water reserves have dropped by 75%, and underground water resources are rapidly depleting.
Minister of Agriculture Mohamed El Bouari recently reported that Morocco’s agricultural dams hold only 3.9 billion cubic meters of water, with a filling rate of just 28%. Furthermore, this year’s rainfall has been unusually scarce, ranging from just 31 millimeters to 627 millimeters, well below typical figures.
By integrating technological advancements with infrastructure development, the initiative aims to meet urgent needs while strengthening Morocco’s resilience to future water-related challenges.
