Morocco to receive US $103M for drinking water and sanitation project

Morocco is set to receive a sum of US $103M loan form the French Development Agency (AFD) to finance drinking water and sanitation projects in the areas served by five autonomous authorities in the Cherifian Kingdom.

According to the French financial institution, the project agreements inked are part of a programme in favour of several municipal authorities responsible for managing drinking water and sanitation services in Morocco.

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“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.

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.