To cope with the scarcity of water resources, Morocco has allocated a global budget of 143 billion dirhams to the national drinking water supply and irrigation program 2020-2027. Thus, multiple structuring projects have emerged, making the kingdom a model in the management of the water crisis. This performance should be further strengthened thanks to the strategic partnership, sealed between Morocco and France, aimed at the construction of the largest seawater desalination station in Africa and the second in the world.
Water, this vital but non-renewable resource, continues to become more scarce over time. Over the past six years, Morocco has been hit by a merciless drought which has greatly exacerbated water stress in the kingdom. Results ? Dry wells, dry groundwater, decline in dam reserves… Water resources are becoming increasingly scarce.
Faced with this situation and with a view to ensuring a continuous supply of drinking water, several actions have been undertaken by the government. Including the interconnection of hydraulic basins, investment in wastewater treatment and acceleration of the construction of dams and seawater desalination stations.
Moreover, the kingdom has launched a vast program of dam construction across the country. Among its projects are the Oued Assafao dam, located in the province of Guelmim. Mobilizing a budget of 29 million dirhams, this project will mark an important step in the sustainable management of the kingdom’s water resources. As it will also meet the growing water needs of local populations and agricultural sectors.
The kingdom is also working to strengthen its infrastructure for the desalination of sea water and aims to reach 1.7 billion cubic meters of desalinated water annually, as stated by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. maritime, rural development and water and forests, Ahmed El Bouari, during the oral questions session held on October 28, 2024.
Its actions, carried out in accordance with royal directives within the framework of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI) 2020-2027, the overall budget of which amounts to 143 billion dirhams, have made Morocco a model in management of the water crisis. Moreover, the Moroccan strategy in the field of water resources management was highly praised by French President Emmanuel Macron, during his state visit to Morocco.
“I am very impressed by Morocco’s strategy in terms of adapting its model through water highways and urban desalination projects. A very holistic strategy from which France must draw inspiration,” he declared during a meeting initiated on October 30 by the OCP group, under the theme: “Food security: Prospects for Franco-Moroccan cooperation for a transition towards sustainable agricultural and food systems in Africa”.
The French president also emphasized the need to unite efforts with a view to building strategies capable of preserving water resources and coping with their scarcity.
This declaration thus reaffirms France’s desire to cooperate closely with Morocco on questions and issues of common interest. A desire which was also materialized, on October 29, by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Morocco and the French group Veolia for the establishment of a strategic partnership which aims to develop a project of seawater desalination. The latter will include the construction, financing and operation, by Veolia, of a desalination plant over a period of 35 years.
Located near Rabat on the Atlantic coast, this installation will be intended to supply the regions of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra and Fès-Meknes. And this is due to its impressive capacity which should reach 822,000 m³ of drinking water per day, or around 300 million m³ per year. Something which will allow it to secure the supply of drinking water for nearly 9.3 million inhabitants, thus positioning itself as the largest desalination project in Africa and the second in the world in terms of capacity. But not only that, the factory also promises to be innovative and efficient, since it should be supplied with carbon-free electricity from renewable sources.
