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Morocco World
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches New Integrated Territorial Development Program
Marrakech – Morocco has initiated a new ambitious territorial development program following King Mohammed VI's directives in his throne speech of July 29. The program marks a shift toward an integrated approach to spatial planning, moving away from traditional social development methods. A strategic meeting was held today in Tetouan, alongside the annual working meeting with walis and governors responsible for territorial administration and central services of the Ministry of Interior, according to a statement. Several government members attended this meeting, including ministers of Interior, Equipment and Water, National Education, Preschool and Sports, Health and Social Protection, National Territory Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy. The gathering also included ministers of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development and Water and Forests, as well as Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills. Walis and governors were also present. The main objective was to identify the best strategies for the effective implementation of this royal program, considered a national priority. The initiative aims to ensure a dignified life for Moroccan citizens through four key pillars: job creation and promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening basic social services (particularly education and healthcare), adopting a proactive and sustainable water resource management model, and launching integrated territorial development projects that align with nationwide megaprojects. Participants stressed the collective responsibility and need to redouble efforts while maintaining constant mobilization to accelerate this project's implementation. Special attention was given to the integrated nature of future programs, requiring enhanced coordination, convergence of actions, and adoption of a participatory approach based on synergy between various local actors. The meeting expressed total commitment to the imperatives of this new phase, based on a vision focused on integrated territorial development and results-oriented governance with tangible impacts. The group recognized the importance of merging public policies with citizens' aspirations to promote equitable social and territorial justice. 'No place for a Morocco moving at two speeds' This new approach comes as part of the sovereign's vision for advanced regionalization, which is now entering a new phase. The monarch has outlined four fundamental guidelines for this generation of programs based on the pooling efforts of all stakeholders around national and territorial priorities. Nearly a decade after implementing advanced regionalization, which culminated in the prominence of regions in territorial development through Organic Law 111-14 of 2016, this project is about to reach a new level. The royal speech coincides with a phase of regional development driven by the second mandate of Regional Councils (2022–2027) and the ongoing implementation of the program to reduce territorial and social disparities. Currently, three regions continue to concentrate more than 58% of national wealth: Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima. King Mohammed VI has rejected the idea of a 'two-speed Morocco,' calling for a collective 'surge' in the overall upgrading of territorial spaces and catching up on social and spatial disparities. 'Our objective is that, without distinction or exclusion, and in whichever region, the fruits of progress and development benefit all citizens,' the King added. Recent data shows Morocco's progress, with the multidimensional poverty rate decreasing from 11.9% in 2014 to 6.8% in 2024. The country has recently joined the category of 'high human development' countries according to the Human Development Index (HDI). Despite these positive indicators, the King pointed out that some areas still experience forms of poverty and precariousness due to a lack of basic infrastructure and equipment, particularly in rural areas. This new generation of public policies aims to ensure that development benefits reach all citizens, regardless of their social group or region. Tags: advanced regionalization in moroccodevelopment program
Morocco World
10-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Sets Sights on 2030 Water Security with Boost to Desalination, Dam Projects
Rabat – Morocco is pushing ahead with its seawater desalination efforts, aiming to reach an annual production capacity of 1.7 billion cubic meters by 2030. The Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, shared the update on Wednesday in Rabat after a high-level meeting on water strategy led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. Baraka explained that the meeting focused on the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020–2027. Alongside the progress on desalination, the program also includes the reshaping of some dam plans and a push to complete construction on priority sites. Despite recent signs of relief, Morocco continues to face high pressure on its water reserves. Temperatures have risen sharply in recent days, putting added strain on available supplies. Baraka said that while some improvement can be seen, many rural areas and villages still deal with limited access to drinking water. To address the shortfall, authorities have brought in more water tankers and launched urgent actions tied to dam infrastructure and water management. The minister said his department, working with other agencies, has taken steps to secure stable water access during the summer. These efforts include mobilizing local and regional resource and wasting less water. In January, Morocco's agricultural dams held 3.71 billion cubic meters of water which stands for a filling rate of 26%, according to Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture. He also pointed to Morocco's efforts to accelerate seawater desalination projects, which looks to produce over 1.7 billion cubic meters of desalinated water by 2030 to support coastal cities and ease the strain on traditional water sources, which can be redirected to agriculture. Additionally, a key project is the Dakhla desalination plant, which boasts an annual capacity of 37 million cubic meters and is 70% complete. Tags: agriculturedesalinationMoroccowater deficit
Morocco World
24-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Accelerates Highway Construction with 1,200 Kilometers of New Routes
Rabat — Morocco is embarking on an ambitious infrastructure expansion with nearly 300 kilometers of expressways currently under construction and an additional 900 kilometers planned across various regional development projects, Equipment and Water Minister Nizar Baraka announced Monday. Speaking during a session dedicated to parliamentary questions in the House of Representatives, Baraka outlined the scope of Morocco's highway development program, which encompasses major cross-country connections and regional infrastructure improvements designed to boost economic development and connectivity across the country. Major expressway projects Among the flagship projects, the minister mentioned the expressway linking Tiznit to Dakhla, a strategic route that will connect Morocco's Atlantic coast with its southern regions. The project portfolio also includes the Fez-Taounate expressway via National Road 8, which will improve connections to the northern regions. Infrastructure development around Morocco's key ports features prominently in the plans, with a dedicated link to the Nador West Med port designed to enhance the facility's connectivity to the national transportation network. Meanwhile, the Tetouan-Chefchaouen expressway via National Road 2 will further strengthen northern Morocco's road infrastructure. Regional development projects include Agadir's northeastern ring road and urban highway, reflecting the government's focus on improving traffic flow in major urban centers. The expansion of National Road 6 to three lanes between Dar Sekka and Sidi Allal El Bahraoui, along with the Sidi Yahya-Sidi Kacem expressway via National Road 4, will enhance connectivity in central Morocco. Regional partnership initiatives The minister also announced progress on the widening of Regional Road 710 connecting Khenifra to Boujaad over 85 kilometers. This project, developed under a partnership agreement for road infrastructure projects in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region, is part of the State-Region program contract (2020-2022) with an estimated cost of MAD 364 million ($36.4 million). Baraka noted that execution studies for the nine-meter widening project have reached an advanced stage, indicating imminent commencement of construction work. Highway network expansion The ministry is accelerating construction of the Guercif-Nador highway, a 104-kilometer route requiring an investment of approximately 7.9 billion dirhams. The project will directly connect the Nador West Med port to Morocco's national highway network, significantly improving cargo transportation efficiency. Through the National Highway Company of Morocco (ADM), the ministry continues work on the Tit Mellil-Berrechid highway spanning 30 kilometers, as well as the 59-kilometer continental Rabat-Casablanca highway, both critical for improving connections between Morocco's economic centers. Strategic infrastructure investment The comprehensive highway development program represents Morocco's commitment to modernizing its transportation infrastructure as part of broader economic development strategies. The projects span from the Atlantic coast to inland regions, with particular focus on connecting ports, industrial zones, and regional centers. The initiative reflects the government's recognition of transportation infrastructure as a cornerstone of economic growth, facilitating trade, tourism, and regional development across the country. With construction already underway on multiple fronts and additional projects in planning phases, Morocco is positioning itself for enhanced connectivity and economic competitiveness in the coming years. The country is also preparing for two upcoming prestigious football tournaments, AFCON 2025 and 2030 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. Tags: ADMexpresswayhighways in Morocconational road
Morocco World
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Morocco World
Weather Office Says 2024 Was Hottest Year on Record in Morocco
Rabat – The General Directorate of Meteorology (DMG) has identified 2024 as the hottest year ever recorded in Morocco. The weather office presented its findings on Morocco's climate during an event on Friday, chaired by Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Barakra. Moroccan news outlet Le360 quoted officials citing the assessment's data, with Baraka saying that Morocco has 'already surpassed a 2 degrees Celsius increase in 2024.' He said that the country crossed the critical threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement, which warns of irreversible effects beyond a global warming range of 1.5 and 2 degrees. The minister also acknowledged that 2024 was among the driest years since 1960, with rainfall dropping by over 45% compared to the annual average. The drought, which has affected Morocco for over six consecutive seasons, has affected the country's water resources, with snowfall shrinking to just 9,900 square kilometers. The number is far below the usual 50,000 square kilometers. These extreme weather events triggered flash floods in the southeast of the country, causing 'major flooding and human losses,' the general director of National Meteorology, Mohamed Dkhissi, said, pointing out that the lack of snowfall and weak precipitation have worsened hydrological conditions. He did not, however, rule out the possibility of a wetter year in 2026, reaffirming the Office's commitment to support the most vulnerable sectors. Drought in Morocco prompted the introduction of a series of measures, including the cancellation of Eid Al Adha sacrifice ritual this year due to the notable decrease in the country's livestock population. Earlier this month, the Moroccan government pledged a new support plan for livestock producers to improve their working conditions and to rebuild the national herd. The new approach includes easing the debt load of small and medium-scale breeders, with the government allocating $70 million to restructure loans for nearly 50,000 farmers. The program also includes subsidies to reduce the cost of feed, with authorities setting the price of barley at MAD 1.5 per kilogram, capped at seven million quintals. Morocco also banned the slaughtering of female goat to contribute to the rebuilding of the national herd. Tags: 2016 hottest year on record2017 one of hottest years
Morocco World
30-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's El Jadida to Host First International Port Ecosystem Salon in 2026
Doha – The first edition of the International Salon for Ports and their Ecosystem (SIPORTS) will take place from February 5-7, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Complex in El Jadida. Organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Equipment and Water by LINECO Events, this pioneering event aims to position Morocco as a strategic hub in global maritime trade. The salon will bring together more than 300 exhibitors from four continents and expects to welcome around 6,000 professional visitors. SIPORTS will be structured around five thematic pavilions: institutional, port industry, operations, scientific and academic, along with a museum dedicated to ports. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, views the event as perfectly aligned with Morocco's maritime strategy. 'This initiative is perfectly aligned with the great momentum the port and maritime sector is experiencing, driven by the orientations of King Mohammed VI, aimed at strengthening Morocco's position as an essential maritime hub on both Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts,' said Baraka. Read also: Dakhla Atlantic Port and N'Djamena Corridor: Pivotal Game Changers in Africa's Economic Landscape He added that creating an exchange platform that brings together all stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities, accompanied by spaces dedicated to innovation and new technologies, 'perfectly addresses the challenges of modernization and sustainable development of our port infrastructure.' Mohcine Berrada, president of LINECO Events and organizer of this first edition, described SIPORTS as 'an international crossroads of expertise and solutions for the future.' 'Our ambition is to respond to the crucial challenges of performance, connectivity, innovation, and sustainability that are reshaping the map of global maritime trade today,' said Berrada. The event will feature an ambitious program of conferences, expert panels, international keynotes, and technical workshops. These sessions will create a space for strategic reflection and concrete exchanges to address the profound changes in the sector. Topics will include structuring new maritime routes, smart ports, eco-responsible infrastructure, and strengthened regional cooperation. Consolidating Morocco's global maritime leadership By promoting B2C and B2B meetings and showcasing innovative solutions, SIPORTS seeks to consolidate Morocco's position as an essential maritime hub in Africa and beyond. The event shows Morocco's growing stature as a pivotal force in global maritime commerce. Tanger Med port, the country's flagship maritime infrastructure, recently secured 17th place worldwide in the latest Alphaliner report of top global container ports. In 2024, Tanger Med handled 10.24 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a significant increase from 8.61 million TEUs the year before. This growth has propelled the Moroccan port ahead of established global players like Hamburg (24th with 7.82 million TEUs) and Jakarta (27th with 6.75 million TEUs). Tanger Med is now the only port in the Mediterranean and Africa to rank among the top 30 ports worldwide. The port finished the 2024 fiscal year with a revenue of $1.212 billion, a marked increase of 12.3% compared to 2023. Santiago J. Castella Surribas, president of the Port of Tarragona in Spain, recently noted that Morocco has made remarkable developments in its port infrastructure over the past 25 years, modernizing to secure a key position in international trade. Spanish media have also expressed concerns that Morocco's port performance has been outpacing major Spanish hubs such as Algeciras, Valencia, and Barcelona since King Mohammed VI inaugurated Tanger Med in 2007. The North African country is also counting on the Atlantic Port of Dakhla to provide Sahel-Saharan countries secure access to the Atlantic Ocean. The project, expected to be operational by 2029, will process up to 35 million tons of cargo annually and serve as a key gateway connecting Africa to European and American markets.
