AfDB Pledges Over $1 Billion to Support Morocco’s Climate Strategy Amid Severe Drought

"In a context of post-Covid-19 recovery and a severe drought, we stand by our primary partner, Morocco. More than a billion dollars will be mobilized over the next two years to support the water, agriculture, social inclusion, human development and infrastructure sectors," said Beth Dunford, Vice President of the African Development Bank Group in charge of Agriculture and Social Development.

During her working visit to Morocco, Beth Dunford met with government members including Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, Mohammed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Forests, and Fouzi Lekjaa, Delegate Minister to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget, according to an AfDB press release.

These exchanges with the Moroccan authorities allowed the AfDB delegation to review the various aspects of the partnership. Beth Dunford welcomed the good quality of the relationship between the institution and Morocco. "With Morocco, we have been linked by a historic partnership for more than half a century. More than $12 billion has been mobilized for over 170 operations," she recalled, commending "the exemplary management by the Kingdom of the economic and social repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic and its ability to successfully emerge from the crisis".

"Our relationship with the African Development Bank is particularly important. We want to strengthen our partnership to develop strategic infrastructure and accelerate the dynamics of Morocco’s economic and social development," said Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, for his part.