05-05-2025
Morocco Ties Green Procurement to National Sustainable Development Vision
Rabat – Public procurement in Morocco no longer revolves solely around budgets and contracts as it now also reflects the country's broader ambition to build a more sustainable future.
Speaking at the Climate Smart Public Procurement Conference in Rabat, Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate for the Budget, described green procurement as a central lever in Morocco's sustainable development strategy.
For Lekjaa, this approach sends a strong message: 'We align public spending with our long-term goals. When we choose where to invest, we are shaping the kind of future we want.'
He stressed that Morocco treats green procurement not as a niche policy but as a practical tool that touches energy, transport, the circular economy, and social inclusion. It speaks to state accountability and the state's ability to guide private-sector practices.
'We want the state to lead by example,' he said. 'When we prioritize sustainability in public purchasing, we open space for innovation, we encourage local entrepreneurship, and we help reshape the market.'
Lekjaa also pointed to recent reforms in public finance that push the green agenda to move forward.
These include new fiscal incentives to support eco-responsible behavior, the issuance of sovereign green bonds, and procurement policies that take both social and environmental value into account.
Read also: Report Finds 'Significant Gaps' in Morocco's Transition to Green Energy
International partners voiced their support for this direction. Nadir Mohamed, Regional Director for Prosperity at the World Bank, noted the potential ripple effect of climate-smart procurement across the region.
'In MENA countries, public procurement represents about 18% of GDP. Redirecting this toward sustainable goods and infrastructure could accelerate the transition to a green economy,' he said. 'It's a major opportunity, not just for environmental impact but for economic competitiveness.'
He laid out the World Bank's plan to help countries in the region adopt green procurement, focusing on three areas: regulation, capacity-building, and innovation through pilot projects.
For the French Development Agency (AFD), the path forward involves concrete support. Its Morocco Director, Quiterie Pincent, said the agency backs high-impact projects while helping local institutions integrate environmental goals into their procurement strategies.
'We developed tools that help public institutions assess the climate impact of their purchases. This turns climate ambition into measurable outcomes,' she said. 'We also believe in sharing knowledge across borders. Countries don't move forward in isolation.'
Senior officials from the Islamic Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the New Development Bank also joined the conversation, showing the momentum behind a regional push for greener economies.
Morocco sees green public procurement not as a policy add-on but as a foundation for future governance. By shaping the market through public demand, the state claims a stronger role in writing the story of environmental and social progress. Tags: green Moroccogreen procurementsustainablesustainable Morocco
