Morocco: Morocco and the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday concluded two loan agreements totaling 405 million euros, aimed at supporting human capital and modernizing Morocco’s rail infrastructure.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the first agreement, worth 205 million euros, will finance the Railway Infrastructure Support Project (PADIF). This operation will help strengthen the operational capacity of the Kenitra-Marrakesh railway line through the extension of the high-speed rail line (LGV) and the upgrading of existing infrastructure along this strategic route.

The project intends to facilitate travel between the country’s major economic hubs and promote sustainable mobility and territorial connectivity, thereby strengthening Morocco’s logistical competitiveness.

The second agreement, worth 200 million euros, will finance the “Cap Comp©tences 2030” program. This initiative aims to improve the quality of vocational training through the digitalization of services and enhanced labor-market inclusion mechanisms. The program will also facilitate access to diversified training opportunities and improve the professional integration of young people and women.

The agreements were signed by Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, and the AfDB Country Manager for Morocco. The Moroccan official emphasized the first agreement as a significant achievement for Morocco, highlighting the strong relationship between the Kingdom and the AfDB. He noted that the second agreement prioritizes employment by mobilizing all necessary means to enable young people to become a genuine driver of value creation.

AfDB’s official echoed these sentiments, stating that the agreements reflect a shared ambition of preparing Morocco for the future. He noted that skills development will require the extension of the LGV, which will contribute to creating opportunities, jobs, and sustainable growth for the country, describing Morocco as a “reference” in Africa.

The AfDB’s strategic vision aligns with Morocco’s priorities, as demonstrated by these two operations, which underscore a mutual commitment to developing human capital and modernizing the Kingdom’s infrastructure. As a long-standing partner of Morocco, this pan-African institution has mobilized more than 15 billion euros since 1978 to finance over 150 projects in key sectors, including human development, water, agriculture, energy, and transport.