Rabat:Morocco has signed a £434 million financing agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to enhance governance and climate change resilience. The agreement was formalized by Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister of Economy, Finance and Public Sector Performance, and Achraf Tarsim, AfDB Group Country Manager in Morocco, in a ceremony attended by Minister of Equipment, Water and Forests Nizar Baraka.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the program aims to support significant structural reforms in strategic areas. These include reforming public institutions and enterprises, improving the business climate, strengthening governance in the water and electricity sectors, and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy.
Lekjaa expressed appreciation for AfDB's confidence in Morocco's reform initiatives amid global uncertainties like geopolitical tensions and climate change. He emphasized the need for anticipation and coordination in public policies, focusing on water and energy sectors, and linking strategic water management with clean energy use.
Baraka stressed the importance of adapting management to extreme weather, prioritizing integrated public policies, and linking food and energy sovereignty. He detailed the components of water management, including seawater desalination, wastewater reuse, and preserving groundwater.
Tarsim commended the coordination among government departments in implementing reforms, describing it as a genuine partnership. He highlighted reforms such as the State's shareholder policy, public enterprise changes, and initiatives for private investment and water management.
The AfDB's support extends beyond budgetary assistance to investment financing and technical aid. The reform measures involve multiple ministerial departments and public institutions, including the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Public Sector Performance, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Equipment, Water and Forests, and various national agencies.