AfDB approves €117 Million for sustainability and security of access to drinking water in Morocco

The Board of directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, convened in Abidjan, approved 117 million Euros in financing for the implementation of the «Project to ensure the sustainability and security of access to drinking water» in Morocco.

The project «consists of securing access to drinking water in the provinces of Guercif, Zagora, Al Hoceima, Tangier and Beni Mellal, which have a population of 2.5 million, through new investments in treatment plants and drinking water supply networks», an AfDB statement said on Tuesday.

«Ensuring access for all to drinking water is the necessary prerequisite for any form of sustainable development. This is a strategic contribution for us», said AfDB director general for the North Africa region, Mohamed El Azizi, at the time of the project's approval.

By ensuring sustainable access to drinking water to meet the needs of the population and industrial operators, the program addresses two of the Bank's five priorities, namely «Improving the living conditions of African populations» and «Industrializing Africa».

The half-century-old partnership between Morocco and the AfDB Group includes more than 160 projects and programs with a total financial commitment of more than 10 billion dollars.

These funds, more than 80% of which are dedicated to basic infrastructure, cover various sectors, notably energy, water, transport, agriculture and social development.