The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on Monday, May 26, that it has signed a €70 million financing agreement with Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (ONEE) to modernize water infrastructure across the kingdom, particularly in small and medium-sized cities and rural areas. The loan, supported by European Union guarantees, will fund equipment modernization, network loss reduction, and energy efficiency improvements in water facilities. The project addresses mounting water stress caused by rising temperatures, increased drought episodes, and growing consumption demands, reads a press release. The financing supports ONEE's 2025-2030 Equipment Plan and contributes to reconstruction efforts following infrastructure damage from the September 2023 earthquake. The initiative aligns with Morocco's National Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI, 2020-2027) and EU-Morocco partnership objectives for green transition. EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris emphasized the bank's commitment to supporting Morocco's sustainable water solutions, while EU Ambassador Patricia Llombart Cussac highlighted the partnership's 20-year collaboration, noting €22 billion in EU and member state investments in Moroccan reforms and infrastructure. ONEE Director General Tarik Hamane stated that the project will secure reliable water access for populations while optimizing conventional water resource allocation amid increased drought frequency.
