Agadir – Morocco and the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group signed a €270 million financing agreement on Tuesday to support the expansion and modernization of the country’s airport infrastructure.
The agreement notably supports the Airport Infrastructure Expansion and Modernization Program (PEMIA), which aims to increase airport capacity, upgrade infrastructure, expand air navigation systems, and strengthen safety and security measures ahead of 2030.
AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah and Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah presided over the signing ceremony in Casablanca. Achraf Tarsim, head of the AfDB Group’s country office in Morocco, and Adel El Fakir, Director General of the National Airports Office (ONDA), signed the agreement.
The AfDB Board approved the €270 million financing for PEMIA in December 2025. The overall program has an estimated cost of about MAD 9.08 billion, equivalent to approximately €863.4 million at the exchange rate used in the project assessment. The AfDB loan covers about 31% of the total cost, while Morocco will finance the remaining 69% through ONDA.
Four target airports
PEMIA focuses on the modernization and expansion of airports in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez.
The project includes terminal expansions, upgrades to air navigation systems, and stronger airport security infrastructure. In Marrakech, the program also provides for the construction of a new control tower.
The works will further include 1.5 million square meters of aircraft parking areas and 7.6 kilometers of taxiways, according to the AfDB.
In addition, the program will introduce advanced security equipment, automated baggage-handling systems, and digital solutions designed to improve passenger flows.
The AfDB project documents list equipment such as passenger screening systems, baggage security equipment, elevators, escalators, moving walkways, automated baggage sorting systems, and explosive detection systems among the planned investments.
By 2030, the program targets passenger-handling capacities of 14 million passengers annually in Marrakech, five million in Agadir, 3.6 million in Tangier, and three million in Fez.
Supporting Morocco’s air transport growth
The program seeks to prepare Morocco’s airport network for the expected growth in passenger and freight traffic through 2030, including the country’s co-hosting of the FIFA World Cup that year.
Nadia Fettah welcomed the AfDB’s support for Morocco’s infrastructure projects, saying that the institution has financed major reforms and projects in the country.
The continental bank expects the investments to improve airport operational safety in the short term while creating several thousand jobs, particularly for women and young people. Over the medium term, the program is expected to support tourism, trade, logistics, and related public and private investment.
The program also supports Morocco’s Tourism Vision 2030 and its objective of strengthening the country’s role as a regional aviation hub. The AfDB lists the project as approved on December 10, 2025, with an implementation period extending to December 31, 2030.
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