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Casablanca – A partnership agreement was signed on Saturday in Errachidia to build and equip a new cultural complex with a total investment of MAD 120 million.
The announcement comes as Morocco continues investing in cultural facilities despite persistent regional disparities. According to findings cited from the Court of Auditors’ 2024-2025 report, Morocco has 1,176 operational cultural facilities nationwide.
However, only around 380 municipalities, or about one quarter of the country’s local authorities, have at least one structured cultural infrastructure. The report also found that 81 cultural facilities remain unused despite public investment, pointing to uneven access to cultural spaces across the country.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Drâa-Tafilalet Regional Wali and Errachidia Governor Essaid Zniber, Drâa-Tafilalet Regional Council President Hro Abrou, Errachidia Municipal Council President Said Karimi, and Al Omrane Drâa-Tafilalet Director General Mohamed Benjelloun.
The project will feature a 1,000-seat theater, a media library, an arts institute, a heritage interpretation center, a cultural center, and an exhibition space.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Bensaid said the project responds to the expectations of local residents as well as regional partners and stakeholders. He said Errachidia is known for the richness and diversity of its tangible and intangible heritage, reflecting a deeply rooted history and cultural identity.
The minister added that a project of this scale is expected to strengthen the region’s cultural infrastructure while helping preserve and promote its local heritage.
Abrou said the Regional Council allocated MAD 60 million toward the project, describing it as part of the council’s support for major development projects across the region.
Karimi said the complex is expected to create new employment opportunities linked to cultural industries, encourage training in cultural professions, and provide new opportunities for students and researchers working in the fields of art and culture. He added that investment in culture is also an investment in human capital and described culture as a fundamental right.
