(3 Minutes Read)
In a landmark announcement, Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit unveiled a comprehensive MAD 56 billion (USD 5.6 billion) national initiative aimed at revolutionizing the country’s wastewater treatment and liquid sanitation infrastructure. This ambitious 2025–2034 program marks a major step forward in tackling Morocco’s mounting environmental and water management challenges, particularly in light of increasing climate pressures.
Speaking at the House of Councilors during a parliamentary oral session, Minister Laftit outlined the strategic scope of the plan, which includes a total of 1,083 projects. Of these, 389 are either ongoing or set to commence imminently, while 694 new projects are focused on building and upgrading sewage networks and wastewater treatment plants nationwide.
In a strategic shift, the government plans to expedite completion of urban sanitation projects by 2029—five years ahead of the original 2034 deadline. This acceleration will free up resources and technical capacity to direct greater attention to underserved rural communities in the following years.Our goal is to connect 90% of urban areas and 80% of rural areas to liquid sanitation networks, Laftit affirmed, signaling a major leap in public health, environmental sustainability, and regional development.
By the end of 2024, the country will have allocated more than MAD 48 billion (USD 5.33 billion) toward wastewater management. Completed projects account for MAD 25 billion (USD 2.78 billion), while another MAD 23 billion (USD 2.55 billion) is currently underway or preparing to launch.
The government’s financial contributions have been substantial, with the state injecting over MAD 17 billion (USD 1.89 billion) via the Liquid and Solid Sanitation Fund. Of this amount, MAD 11 billion (USD 1.22 billion) has already been mobilized. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior has secured more than MAD 3 billion (USD 333.58 million) through territorial communities’ share of the value-added tax.
Currently, 223 out of 385 urban centers and cities are equipped with functional wastewater treatment facilities, serving approximately 21 million citizens. This brings the national urban sanitation connection rate to 84%. Construction continues in 72 additional locations, with another 90 projects scheduled for the 2025–2034 period.
In rural Morocco, the program has already provided sewage systems and treatment facilities in 43 centers, benefiting around 105,000 people. Ongoing construction in 170 more rural centers is expected to serve an additional 442,000 individuals. Looking ahead, Morocco aims to expand coverage to 1,207 rural centers by 2040.
The program also targets significant environmental milestones, including reducing wastewater-related pollution by over 80%. Treated wastewater is increasingly being reused—2024 saw 53 million cubic meters of reclaimed water used for irrigating 30 golf courses and green areas in 16 municipalities, along with supporting six industrial projects.
Future projects will increase this capacity, enable irrigation of 18 more golf courses and support 40 additional communities. By 2040, the government aims to reuse 537 million cubic meters of treated wastewater each year—demonstrating a major pivot toward sustainable water use in agriculture, landscaping, and industry.
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Minister Laftit emphasized that the new sanitation strategy forms a key component of a broader national development vision—one that integrates environmental, social, and economic priorities. The initiative is designed not only to protect Morocco’s scarce water resources but also to promote territorial equity by extending modern infrastructure to rural and marginalized areas. Ultimately, this sweeping investment underscores Morocco’s long-term commitment to climate resilience, public health, and inclusive economic growth through enhanced environmental stewardship.
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