French Development Agency (AFD) is announcing €100 million in loans to Morocco. This financing is intended to strengthen drinking water and sanitation services in the areas served by five autonomous authorities in the Cherifian Kingdom.
Several of Morocco’s autonomous water boards have more funds to strengthen their activities. These include the Régie Autonome de Distribution d’Eau et d’Électricité de Meknès (RADEM) and the Régie Autonome de Distribution d’Eau et d’Électricité de Taza (RADEETA) with which the French Development Agency (AFD) has just signed loan agreements. The total amount of the financing is 100 million euros.
According to the French financial institution, the agreements signed on 10 May 2022 are part of a programme in favour of several municipal authorities responsible for managing drinking water and sanitation services in Morocco.
Impact on 1.8 million people
The loan will guarantee water and sanitation services for “more than 1.8 million inhabitants in order to improve the resilience of populations to climate change and reduce the spread of epidemics”, AFD said.
The French bank’s loan will finance the extension and rehabilitation of drinking water production units, pumping stations, pipes for water transport and distribution, reservoirs, house connections, wastewater and storm water collectors, as well as storm water overflows and treatment plants. AFD’s loans will also help detect and repair water leaks.
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Following the signature of the loan agreements, AFD also provided a 300 000 euro grant to the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior and five autonomous water boards, including Radem and Radeeta. The three other beneficiary structures are the Régie autonome intercommunale de distribution d’eau, d’électricité et de gestion d’assainissement liquide des provinces d’El Jadida et de Sidi Bennour (RADEEJ), the Régie autonome intercommunale de distribution d’eau et d’électricité de la province de Larache (RADEEL) and the Régie autonome intercommunale de distribution d’eau et d’électricité du Tadla (RADEET).
This other funding is for an expertise programme in the fields of water and sanitation. The European Union (EU) is also subsidising the programme to the tune of 18.8 million euros.
Inès Magoum
