The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a €270 million financing package for Morocco.
The funds are designated for the implementation of the Airport Infrastructure Expansion and Modernization Program (PEMIA).
The €270 million loan is specifically aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Morocco’s air transport sector through the modernization of its main airport hubs. The program will increase the operational capacity of the Kingdom’s airports through infrastructure upgrades, expansion of the air navigation system, and enhanced security measures.
The AfDB stated that these investments are vital for meeting the projected growth in passenger and freight traffic by 2030, particularly as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The upgrades will include the installation of state-of-the-art security equipment, automated baggage handling systems, and modern mobility equipment.
The PEMIA project targets the modernization of major airports, including Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez. Specific construction work involves expansion of terminal buildings, construction of a new control tower in Marrakech, and development of 1.5 million square meters of aircraft parking and 7.6 kilometers of taxiways.
Achraf Hassan Tarsim, AfDB Group Country Manager for Morocco, emphasized the strategic priority: “Further developing Morocco as a destination and strengthening its logistical competitiveness to prepare for a global event like the 2030 FIFA World Cup remains our strategic priority.”
In the short term, the commissioning of the modernized infrastructure is expected to improve operational safety and generate thousands of jobs, particularly for women and young people. In the medium term, the program will stimulate tourism, trade, and public and private investment in transport-related sectors.
By 2030, the program is projected to enable a significant increase in capacity, with the targeted airports able to handle: Marrakech: 14 million passengers. Agadir: 5 million passengers. Tangier: 3.6 million passengers. Fez: 3 million passengers.
AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA