On January 6, 2025, the broadcast “Info in Face” of “Morning Group” inaugurated the year with an issue on the city of Casablanca. And it is Nabila Rmilimayor of the city, who was the guest of Rachid Hallaouy for this first issue of the year. Focused on social reforms and major projects in the metropolis, the debate highlighted the progress and projects underway in the economic capital of the Kingdom.
Transformation projects in Casablanca: a metropolis undergoing lasting change
Casablancathe country’s economic engine, aspires to become a model of a sustainable city. An objective which confronts the economic capital with major challenges. For Nabila Rmilithe strategic vision aims to include Casablanca in the global network of green cities, the Q40. Among the achievements, she mentioned the increase in green spaces per inhabitant, from 1 to 5 m², symbol of a major effort to improve the quality of life of citizens.
What about waste management?
The closure of the discharge of Mediounalong considered an ecological plague, is accompanied by the creation of a waste recovery plant. With an investment of 11 billion dirhams, this tool aims to treat the 4,000 tonnes of waste produced daily, while generating renewable energy. This quantity illustrates the urgency of systemic change. Ms. Rmili said: “Waste recovery is not a simple ecological obligation, it is an economic and social lever.” The factory is not limited to waste management: it generates green jobs and promotes the production of renewable energies. She also emphasized the positive environmental impact, with a planned reduction in the city’s carbon footprint. This project, according to her, could become a model for other Moroccan and African metropolises, by combining economic efficiency and ecological sustainability.
Water management: structuring projects in progress
The guest of the show also highlighted the importance of reducing the use ofdrinking water for thewatering green spaceswith plans for operational treatment plants by mid-2025. These transformations, according to the mayor, not only respond to local needs, but place Casablanca in a global perspective of the fight against climate change. “The ecological transformation of Casablanca is a systemic priority and not a luxury,” she said. This bet on sustainability reflects a clear ambition: to make Casablanca a model for African metropolises.
Metro, RER… urban mobility at the heart of concerns
The project of metro is it still relevant? Rmili clarifies: studies on RER are finalized with eight stations planned to connect the urban centers. It reveals that the objective is to transport 2 million passengers per day, thanks to a multimodal approach. At the same time, the reform of public infrastructure includes lighting with a budget of 1 billion dirhams. “These projects meet the requirements for efficient and sustainable mobility,” she says. Indeed, beyond mobility projects, the mayor highlighted the importance of energy infrastructure for Casablanca which constitutes a budgetary priority. This project aims to install intelligent systems, thereby reducing operating costs while strengthening urban security. “Each dirham invested in modern infrastructure is a bet on the future,” said Ms. Rmili, highlighting the economic and ecological impacts of this initiative. The objective is to make Casablanca a connected and greener city, in accordance with the standards of modern metropolises.
Local finances and major events: catalysts for growth
The local economy occupied a central place in the show, particularly through questions on the financing of urban projects and the sporting events international. Particular focus was placed on Casablanca’s capacity to manage a budget of 5 billion dirhams: is the current budget sufficient to finance all projects? Will local taxes increase? For Ms. Rmili, budgetary management is based on optimizing revenue via digitalization, avoiding any increase in local taxes. She announced a budget surplus of 600 million dirhams dedicated to the modernization of infrastructure, particularly for preparations for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025. And precisely, in terms of sporting events, the CAN and the World Cup are seen as a driver of development. Stadiums and sports facilities will undergo major renovations, although some investments remain to be quantified. Regarding cultural events, and citing the Casablanca theater, Ms. Rmili recalled that its annual maintenance cost reaches 100 million dirhams, emphasizing the importance of rigorous management of resources. “These events are not simple festivities, but strategic economic opportunities,” she added. And the compliance of public lighting, with a budget of one billion dirhams, illustrates this commitment towards a more modern and connected future.
It’s all about optimized local governance
How local governance is it managed with 131 elected officials? The city mayor specifies that the Municipal Council operates as a “territorial parliament” and that each elected official plays a specific role. There inter-district collaboration allowed a 40% increase in revenue in three years, from 3 to 5 billion dirhams. She concludes: “Casablanca shows that collegial management can stimulate efficiency.”
A modernized Moudawana for a balanced Morocco
The guest of the show was also questioned about the Moudawana which it defines as an “essential national project”. Thus, Ms. Rmili insists: “This reform aims for family well-being, not a conflict between men and women,” while emphasizing its alignment with fundamental Moroccan values. The reform project has sparked a debate rich in perspectives. Asked about the evolution of this Family Code since 2004, Nabila Rmili defended the updating of this emblematic law as a social necessity: “This reform is not a rupture, but a continuity adapted to modern realities”. She also explained that shared parental tutoring, extended to the mother, constitutes a major step forward. This decision responds to the demands of several associations while remaining anchored in Moroccan religious values. She also recalled that the minimum age for marriage is now set at 18 years, marking increased protection for young girls. Figures from recent censuses have made it possible to refine this reform, with an approach based on tangible data. “This Code seeks above all to improve family well-being and not to create social divisions,” she concluded. This vision of the Moudawana reflects a subtle balance between modernization and respect for traditions, a unique model in the legal landscape of the Arab world.
