Morocco and the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group signed a financing agreement of 270 million euros on Tuesday in Casablanca for the Airport Infrastructure Extension and Modernization Program (PEMIA), an operation aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s airport capacities.
During a ceremony chaired by the President of the AfDB Group, Sidi Ould Tah, who is currently visiting Morocco, and the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, the agreement was signed by the Country Manager of the AfDB Group in Morocco, Achraf Tarsim, and the Director General of the National Airports Office (ONDA), Adel El Fakir, according to a press release from the AfDB Group.
“Through the 270 million euro loan granted to ONDA, the AfDB supports the Kingdom of Morocco’s ambition to modernize and expand its airport capacity, particularly in strategic hubs such as Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, and Tangier. The Bank is also contributing to Morocco’s preparation efforts for major international events,” stressed Ould Tah, as quoted by the same source.
He specified that this operation also aligns with the continental momentum that the Bank actively drives through the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program in Africa (IATP). He noted that this program aims to support African states in modernizing, financing, and integrating their air transport systems in order to build a safer, more competitive, more sustainable, and better-connected sector.
Marked notably by the presence of the Director General of Tamwilcom, Saïd Jabrani, this signing represents a major milestone in the transformation of the Moroccan airport sector and supports the Kingdom’s ambitions to strengthen its position as a leading aviation hub connecting Africa, Europe, and the rest of the world.
In alignment with the “Four Cardinal Points,” the AfDB Group’s operational vision, and Morocco’s strategic priorities, this project supports the implementation of the Kingdom’s 2030 tourism vision.
PEMIA aims to sustainably boost the competitiveness of Moroccan air transport through the modernization and expansion of the country’s primary airport hubs. The program will increase the operational capacities of airports by upgrading infrastructure, expanding air navigation systems, and strengthening safety and security frameworks.
These investments will notably equip airports with state-of-the-art security equipment, automated baggage handling systems, and digital solutions designed to streamline the passenger journey and improve their overall experience.
These enhancements will offer travelers a safer, faster, and more comfortable service in line with the most demanding international standards.
In response to the sustained growth in passenger and cargo traffic expected over the coming years, the project will help prepare Morocco’s airport infrastructure for the Kingdom’s future mobility and connectivity needs.
By 2030, the program will expand handling capacity to 14 million passengers in Marrakech, 5 million in Agadir, 3.6 million in Tangier, and 3 million in Fez. These investments will consolidate Morocco’s position as a regional aviation hub.
Beyond infrastructure modernization, the program is expected to generate significant economic and social benefits.
In the short term, it will contribute to enhancing the safety of airport operations and creating several thousand jobs, particularly for youth and women.
In the medium term, it will foster the growth of tourism, trade, and logistics activities, while stimulating public and private investments associated with the air transport sector, the release concludes.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.