The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provides Morocco a €150 million loan to finance the third phase of Saïss Water Conservation Program.
The package also includes a $7.5 million grant from the UK under the EBRD’s High-Impact Partnership for Climate Action (HIPCA) multi-donor fund.
Recognising the project’s strategic importance for Morocco, the Bank is also providing a €5 million investment grant, as well as a €500,000 technical assistance grant.
The EBRD funding is destined to finance the construction of a water distribution network aimed at irrigating 20,000 hectares in the water-scarce Saïss plain in the Fès-Meknès region.
The third and final phase of the Saïss Water Conservation Program – a flagship initiative to preserve the Saïss aquifer and promote sustainable water management in the region – brings the total cost of the project to €252 million.
The Saïss Water Conservation Program seeks to replace unsustainable groundwater abstraction with sustainable and resilient use of surface water, transferring 90-120 million m³ of water annually from the M’Dez dam to the Saïss plain for irrigation purposes. This phased investment program is expected to benefit around 5,000 farms and 1.8 million people, while alleviating pressure on the Saïss aquifer.
Morocco faces persistent water scarcity – a challenge that is being further exacerbated by the effects of climate change. This project will enable climate-resilient irrigation by replacing unsustainable groundwater abstraction with the use of surface water, preserving the Saïss aquifer and strengthening agricultural resilience and water security in the Saïss plain.
The project also features a strong focus on gender and economic inclusion. Technical cooperation initiatives will enhance skills and employability in sustainable water management for young people and women in the Fès-Meknès region and support the implementation of a SCADA-based system for remote management of the irrigation network, allowing efficient use of resources.