The French Development Agency (AFD) is an important partner of Morocco in financing projects promoting inclusive and environmentally friendly growth. For the period 2022-2026, AFD is focusing its efforts on social inclusion, with an emphasis on the empowerment of young people and women, while supporting the ecological transition. This dynamic partnership between Morocco and France is part of a common desire to address social and environmental issues in the Kingdom.
As part of its 2022-2026 strategy, AFD is strengthening its commitment to sustainable development in Morocco. Through a series of initiatives, the agency is implementing an ambitious program aimed at promoting socioeconomic inclusion while supporting the country in its ecological transition. This partnership is part of the continuity of the privileged relationship which unites Morocco and France, reinforced by a common desire to face the social and environmental challenges of the 21st century.
An ambition supported by diversified financing
Morocco represents the AFD group’s first country of intervention in the world, which has an exposure amounting to 3.7 billion euros at the end of 2021, distributed among 48 borrowers.
Between 2017 and 2021, AFD has granted funding totaling 2.4 billion euros, deploying a wide range of financial tools to support Roayume. This financing is broken down in particular into sovereign loans (1.26 billion euros), non-sovereign loans (870 million euros) and grants (34 million euros). The French Fund for the Global Environment (FFEM) also contributed 2 million euros, while Proparco, the subsidiary dedicated to the private sector, committed 167 million euros over the same period.
This funding has made it possible to carry out concrete projects with a tangible impact, such as the electrification of 560 rural villages, allowing more than 22,000 households to access electricity. Likewise, 150,000 people were able to benefit from sustainable access to drinking water, and 280 schools were rehabilitated in priority areas. The Casablanca tramway, used by 200,000 people every day, is also one of the flagship projects financed by the AFD.
Social inclusion: a lever for human development
One of the pillars of AFD’s strategy is based on the socio-economic inclusion of young people and women. Aware that these groups play a crucial role in the future of Morocco, AFD invests in health centers, education and professional training. More than 10,000 people have been trained in centers financed by the agency, strengthening their skills and facilitating their integration into quality jobs.
Human development is at the heart of this approach, with efforts to extend social protection and promote equal opportunities. By supporting public policy initiatives in favor of gender equality, AFD contributes to reducing inequalities and empowering women. Sport and the creative industries are also vectors of social inclusion, allowing young people to become more involved in civic life.
Ecological transition: towards a carbon-free economy
The second major axis of AFD’s strategy in Morocco concerns the ecological transition, in particular through the decarbonization of the economy. The agency is committed to working alongside Morocco to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 500,000 tonnes per year through the development of renewable energies, such as solar energy, and the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings and housing. These actions also aim to make mobility more sustainable, with projects such as the promotion of low-carbon multi-modal transport.
In the field of sustainable resource management, AFD supports innovative initiatives such as the emergence of circular economy sectors, including the recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Other projects concern water management, flood prevention and reforestation, which help strengthen the ecological and social resilience of territories.
A strategic partnership and beyond funding
The partnership between Morocco and the AFD is not limited to financial aspects. Since 2018, a strategic dialogue has been established with the Moroccan Ministry of Finance, focusing in particular on the long-term energy transition, water stress and public policies aimed at mitigating gender inequalities. This dialogue is fueled by studies commissioned by AFD, which provide essential data to guide development strategies.
This partnership also extends to public institutions and private actors, such as the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), OCP, ONCF and the Al Omrane group. Collaboration between these entities makes it possible to implement innovative solutions, whether in Morocco or on a regional scale, particularly in Africa, with an opening towards projects in digital technology, creative industries and sport.
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