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Rabat — Morocco’s National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Zones (ANDZOA) stands at the forefront of transforming the country’s oasis regions through sustainable development that balances economic growth with environmental protection, according to a senior official.
“ANDZOA works for the sustainable development of oasis zones, ensuring we maintain a balance between economic growth, environmental preservation, and improving the living conditions of local populations,” Oussama El Khalifani, Head of the Socio-Economic Project Management Department at ANDZOA, told Morocco World News (MWN) on the sidelines of the 14th edition of Morocco’s International Date Fair in Erfoud.
The agency focuses on protecting and promoting oases, which El Khalifani described as “a fundamental pillar of Moroccan identity,” while simultaneously creating new employment opportunities and raising living standards.
Between 2012 and 2024, ANDZOA implemented major infrastructure projects spanning water management, education, healthcare, rural accessibility, and agriculture. The agency placed special focus on the date palm sector and other oasis value chains, El Khalifani explained.
These initiatives have generated thousands of direct and indirect jobs, supported hundreds of cooperatives and small businesses, and tangibly improved residents’ living conditions through the work of the Oasis Zones Development Directorate, he said.
ANDZOA employs a territorial approach built on an integrated organization involving four territorial representations. El Khalifani explained that these representations “work closely with local authorities, elected councils, ministerial departments, and public institutions, as well as professional organizations such as associations, cooperatives, and economic interest groups.”
The agency also maintains partnerships with international institutions, including the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to implement pilot projects designed for replication in other zones, El Khalifani noted.
“This participatory governance model constitutes one of the main factors behind the agency’s success, guaranteeing concrete results and genuine ownership of projects by oasis populations,” he said.
The agency’s comprehensive approach is part of Morocco’s commitment to preserving its oasis heritage while ensuring these historic communities thrive in the modern economy.
