The World Bank (WB) has approved a $350 million funding program to assist Morocco in implementing its 2020-2027 National Potable Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI), as part of the country’s water strategy (PNE) for 2020-2050.
The loan will help strengthen water governance, improve financial sustainability, and encourage non-conventional water resource integration, according to Moroccan news agency (MAP).
The Moroccan Program contributes to the Bank’s strategic priorities in the MENA region, basically gender mainstreaming and climate change. Due to water scarcity, Morocco is suffering considerable economic fallout.
WB Director for the Maghreb and Malta Jesko Hentschel emphasized the importance of safeguarding natural resources and sustainably ensuring access to water. “This new Program aims to reinforce water security in Morocco and would help overhaul the PNE which spans 30 years.”
The Program aims to protect groundwater, improve information on water, support river basin agencies, develop data systems, and impose mandatory reporting. It seeks to save 25 million m3 of potable water and make 52 million m3 of wastewater available for reuse by 2030.