AFD Renews Commitment to Development Efforts in Morocco’s Southern Provinces

Rabat – The French Development Agency (AFD) has renewed its commitment toward the development of Morocco’s southern provinces.

Following a press conference on Thursday, AFD’s director general Remy Rioux said the meeting provided an opportunity to review the implementation of the commitments made during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Morocco in October 2024.

Rioux made his remarks following a meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat.

He also recalled his visit to Morocco’s southern provinces in Laayoune and Dakhla last year, where he met local authorities and officials to identify investment priorities.

He said AFC is currently working on port financing through the National Ports Agency and exploring the possibility of supporting the newly established Regional Multiservice Companies in these two regions of Morocco.

“We are currently working both on port financing through the National Ports Agency, as well as the possibility of directly financing these two regions, along with the Regional Mutiservice Companies recently created to manage public services,” he told the press.

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Rioux also recalled his discussion with Bourita, focusing on Morocco-France commitment to contribute to the development of Africa beyond the two countries’ bilateral cooperation.

Last year, AFD said it was planning to make major investments of €150 million in Morocco’s southern provinces.

Rioux announced the news from Laayoune during his visit to the region as part of the flurry of visits by French officials since France’s newfound historic recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces. The French president announced France’s recognition in July 2024.

“The AFD Group will now invest in the southern regions by bringing in investments and financing,” Rioux told the press, noting that he was “very impressed” by the investments and the quality of infrastructure that the region witnessed recently.