Morocco plans to complete several large dams and launch a massive water transfer project by 2026, as part of a MAD 36 billion investment aimed at securing the country’s water future amid worsening drought conditions.
According to the Ministry of Equipment and Water’s 2026 Water Program, included in the upcoming finance bill, the government will begin construction on a large-scale project to transfer surplus water from the Sebou River basin in the north to more arid regions in the south.
Officials say the plan seeks to ensure a fairer distribution of water resources across the country and mitigate the impact of declining rainfall and low reservoir levels.
The ministry said studies are ongoing to connect the Aït Ziat Dam to the orbital canal, as well as to transfer excess water from the Laou basin to the Sebou basin.
By 2026, Morocco expects to complete several key dam projects, including the Sakia El Hamra Dam in Laayoune, which will have a storage capacity of 113 million cubic meters, and the Sidi Abou Dam in Taounate, with a capacity of 200 million cubic meters.
Other projects include the Aït Ziat Dam in Al Haouz, Bni Azziman in Driouch, Tamri in Agadir, and the elevation of the Mohammed V Dam in Nador. Together, these projects represent an estimated investment of MAD 9.23 billion and will add about 1.7 billion cubic meters of storage capacity.
Fifteen other dams are currently under construction, with a combined capacity exceeding 5 billion cubic meters and an estimated cost of MAD 27 billion.
The government says the expanded dam network is critical for enhancing water security, supporting agriculture, and protecting communities from floods. It also plans to launch tenders for three new dams in Larache and Chefchaouen, with a combined budget of MAD 4.3 billion spread over 2026 and 2027.
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