Rabat – The World Bank is set to approve a $250 million financing package aimed at transforming Morocco’s municipal solid waste (MSW) sector.
This initiative, part of a broader push to address the growing environmental and fiscal challenges posed by waste management, is expected to help Morocco bolster governance, improve financial sustainability, and enhance the sector’s environmental performance.
As urbanization accelerates and consumption patterns shift, Morocco’s annual municipal solid waste production is on the rise, with an estimated 8.2 million tons produced in 2020.
Of this, over 6 million tons come from urban areas, and with no significant waste reduction strategies in place, projections suggest the figure could reach 11.4 million tons by 2030.
This burgeoning waste crisis has prompted Morocco to seek innovative solutions to manage waste more efficiently, increase recycling, and promote sustainability.
The $250 million financing package will fund Morocco’s Municipal Solid Waste Management Program (MSWMP), an ambitious initiative that aligns with the National Household Waste Recovery Program (PNVDM). This initiative is designed to tackle the sector’s financial and environmental challenges.
The program spans from 2023 to 2034 and sets a target to increase the recycling rate of MSW from a mere 7% to 25% by 2034.
In addition to upgrading landfills and developing new waste recovery infrastructures, the program aims to close abandoned, uncontrolled sites, thereby improving environmental conditions across the country.
The program will be implemented through the Ministry of the Interior, with support from several key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and local municipalities.
A significant element of this partnership is a memorandum of understanding signed with the cement industry, enabling waste-derived fuels to be used in cement plants, which will help reduce disposal volumes while creating a viable recycling model.
The financing will be distributed over six years and is divided into three core areas.
In addition to funding, the World Bank will offer technical assistance to ensure the effective rollout of the program, which is expected to have a lasting impact on Morocco’s waste management practices.
