The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced a €100 million (approximately $108 million) loan to OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and phosphate fertilizers, to enhance Morocco’s sustainable water supply.
The funding will facilitate the construction of a 219-kilometer pipeline and a new pumping station. This infrastructure will transport desalinated water from OCP Group’s existing and future desalination plants at Jorf Lasfar on the Atlantic coast to its production sites in Khouribga, central Morocco.
Construction of the pipeline is progressing well and is expected to be completed soon. Once operational, it will have an annual capacity of 80 million cubic meters, enough to fill more than 32,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Morocco faces severe water stress that threatens agricultural production and economic development. This project aims to provide OCP Group with a reliable water source while also benefiting farmers, businesses, and households in the Khouribga region.
OCP Group’s Chairman and CEO, Mostafa Terrab, expressed enthusiasm for IFC’s support, stating, “We are delighted with IFC’s support in tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our time: water scarcity. This project demonstrates OCP Group’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation. By securing a reliable source of desalinated water, we are not only enabling the continued growth of our operations but also providing essential resources to local communities.”
IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop highlighted the project’s significance, saying, “Water scarcity is a major obstacle to economic development in Africa. This innovative project by OCP Group shows how businesses can develop solutions to complex development challenges. By supporting the construction of this pipeline, IFC is enabling OCP Group to meet its water needs and provide vital resources to communities, contributing to a more resilient and food-secure future for Africa.”
The pipeline forms part of OCP Group’s broader water strategy, managed by its subsidiary, OCP Green Water. The company aims to use 100% non-conventional water by the end of 2024 and plans to invest $611 million by 2027 to achieve a production capacity of 560 million cubic meters of desalinated water and 60 million cubic meters of treated wastewater annually. This initiative will not only secure the Group’s water needs but also provide surplus capacity to local communities, enhancing their resilience to climate change.
The project aligns with Morocco’s focus on sustainable development and is supported by the World Bank Group’s strategy in the country, which emphasizes climate resilience. By 2030, the pipeline is expected to run entirely on renewable energy sources, further improving access to sustainable water resources.
The pipeline project also complements IFC’s country strategy for Morocco, which supports investments in sustainable infrastructure and inclusive growth. Since 2021, IFC and OCP Group have collaborated on various initiatives, including developing sustainable food systems, building solar power plants, and advancing green fertilizer production.
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has been supporting Morocco’s economic development for over 60 years. In the past three years alone, IFC has invested and mobilized more than $1 billion to promote sustainable growth across various sectors in the country.
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