In Rabat, Morocco and the European Investment Bank (EIB) formalized agreements totaling €365 million to upgrade and secure the country’s road and rail networks. These initiatives aim to enhance resilience, modernize infrastructure, and support sustainable mobility across key transport corridors.
railway upgrades and highway reinforcements receive major funding boost
The first agreement, signed by the EIB’s Deputy Director for Global Operations, Lionel Rapaille, the Deputy Managing Director of Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF), Mohamed Smouni, and the Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Morocco, Daniele Dotto, includes a €50 million EIB loan paired with a €15 million EU grant. These funds will finance the ONCF railway rehabilitation project, focusing on critical rail links to improve efficiency, safety, and service reliability.
The second agreement, between the EIB and Morocco’s National Highway Company (ADM), allocates a €300 million EIB loan to the highway resilience project. This investment targets the reinforcement of Morocco’s motorway network against climate-related risks and increasing traffic demands, ensuring long-term durability and connectivity.
european investment bank highlights Morocco’s strategic importance
During the signing ceremony, the EIB President emphasized Morocco’s role as a long-standing strategic partner and a pillar of stability and prosperity in the region. The country’s commitment to sustainable development and infrastructure modernization was presented as a model for broader regional cooperation.
Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance echoed these sentiments, underscoring the strength of the strategic partnership between the Kingdom, the EU, and the EIB. She highlighted a 50-year history of collaboration and two decades of the EIB’s continuous presence in Morocco, noting that the new financing agreements reflect a shared vision for inclusive growth and climate action.
«These new funding arrangements, amounting to €365 million, will deliver tangible benefits for Moroccan citizens by supporting modern, climate-resilient transport systems that connect communities and drive economic opportunity,» the Minister stated.
With nearly five decades of involvement in Morocco, the EIB has played a pivotal role as the EU’s investment arm, channeling resources into sectors that foster economic resilience, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.
