This operation aims to strengthen the competitiveness of air transport in Morocco through the modernization of its main platforms.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved financing of €270 million for Morocco to implement the Airport Infrastructure Expansion and Modernization Program (PEMIA).
This operation seeks to enhance the competitiveness of air transport in Morocco by modernizing its main airport platforms.
The program aims to increase the operational capacity of the Kingdom’s airports through infrastructure upgrades, the expansion of the air navigation system, and the strengthening of security arrangements. It will help meet the growth in passenger and cargo traffic by 2030, particularly in light of Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
These investments will be complemented by the installation of state-of-the-art security equipment, automated baggage handling systems, and modern mobility equipment. The objective is to offer a smoother, safer, and more comfortable travel experience.
This project will help propel Morocco’s tourism momentum and modernize its air logistics.
“Further developing the Morocco destination and strengthening its logistical competitiveness to prepare for a global-scale event such as the 2030 FIFA World Cup remains our strategic priority,” said Achraf Hassan Tarsim, Head of the African Development Bank Group’s country office in Morocco.
The project provides for the modernization of the airports of Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez, including the expansion of passenger terminals, the construction of a new control tower in Marrakech, and the development of 1.5 million square meters of aircraft parking areas and 7.6 kilometers of taxiways.
“This project will help propel Morocco’s tourism momentum and modernize its air logistics. In response to sustained growth in air traffic, it will modernize airport infrastructure to offer a safe, efficient travel experience that meets international standards,” emphasized Mike Salawou, Director of the Bank Group’s Infrastructure and Urban Development Department.
This innovative program combines various aspects of digitalization, efficiency, and comfort to transform the traveler experience in Morocco.
In the short term, the commissioning of modernized infrastructure will improve operational safety and generate several thousand jobs, particularly for women and young people. In the medium term, the program will stimulate tourism, trade, and public and private investment in transport-related sectors.
By 2030, the program will enable a significant increase in the Kingdom’s capacities: 14 million passengers in Marrakech, five million in Agadir, 3.6 million in Tangier, and three million in Fez. These developments will strengthen Morocco’s role as a regional air hub.
In line with the Bank Group’s High 5 priorities and Morocco’s New Development Model, this project supports the implementation of the “Tourism Vision 2030” and the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading air hub on the African continent.
