Morocco, Germany ink €100m agreement to finance climate policy support program

Morocco's Budget Minister, Fouzi Lekjaa, and Jan Schilling, the Regional Head of the Water Sector for North Africa at the German Development Bank (KfW - Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), inked a €100 million deal in Rabat on Thursday. The agreement aims to bolster Morocco's Climate Policy Support Program, focusing on enhancing the country's resilience to climate change and facilitating its transition to a low-carbon economy.

During the signing ceremony, Lekjaa praised the robust Moroccan-German collaboration, especially with KfW, in tackling climate change and advancing ecological transition. He emphasized the increasing significance of climate resilience within budgetary and economic frameworks, reaffirming Morocco's dedication to pursuing a green economy and amplifying future initiatives.

Ahmed El Bouari, Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, lauded the successful partnership between Morocco and Germany in agriculture, viewing the agreement as a testament to exemplary cooperation.

Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, highlighted the urgent need to combat climate change, particularly in water management, with a focus on desalination and conservation. He noted Morocco's commitment to developing future energy sources, which are becoming increasingly vital.

German Ambassador to Morocco, Robert Dölger, described the agreement as a symbol of strong and exemplary cooperation, marked by mutual trust and joint efforts to address significant challenges. He stressed the urgency of immediate action on climate change, identifying it as a strategic priority for the future.

Janne Rajpar, Director of the KfW office in Morocco, stated that fighting climate change is a central and emblematic pillar of their cooperation with Morocco.

The ceremony, attended by Zakaria Hachlaf, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, concluded with expressions of satisfaction from Lekjaa and Dölger regarding the partnership between Morocco and Germany. They affirmed their commitment to further strengthening this collaboration.