Assahafa.com
Morocco and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed, on Friday in Rabat, a €150 million financing agreement (MAD 1.617 Bln) for the “Saiss Plain Water Conservation – SAISS III” project.
Accompanied by grants totaling €11.5 million (approximately MAD 124 million), the agreement marks the final phase of the project, which aims to safeguard the Saiss aquifer and secure irrigation for 20,000 hectares, by gradually replacing unsustainable groundwater with surface water from the M’DEZ dam.
The SAISS III project will directly benefit 7,300 farms, while also having a positive impact on rural employment, farmers’ incomes, the establishment of young people, and the development of cooperatives and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas.
Between 90 and 120 million cubic meters of water will be mobilized annually for irrigation, helping to reduce pressure on groundwater and strengthen the region’s climate resilience.
The project also benefits from targeted technical support, including for young people, women, and small farmers, in order to strengthen their skills and promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
Speaking on this occasion, Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa emphasized that the EBRD has established itself as a reliable and consistent partner, both in the development process and in its effective implementation for Morocco.
The minister also highlighted the strong relations between Morocco and the United Kingdom, based on a shared ambition and a common desire to tackle economic, climate, and global development challenges.
Regarding the SAISS III project, Lekjaa stated that it is one of the flagship projects chosen by Morocco to address water stress, transformations, and climate change.
In turn, Greg Guyett, First Vice President of the EBRD said that the project will develop rural livelihoods and help conserve water.
It is also about ensuring climate resilience in water management in a key region of the Kingdom, Guyett noted.
Since the beginning of its operations in Morocco, the EBRD has financed more than 120 projects worth over €5.6 billion (approximately MAD 60.4 billion), covering water, energy, infrastructure, and private sector support sectors, with a particular focus on green transition and inclusive development.
Source: map
