African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah and Morocco's Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, on Tuesday presided over the signing of a €270 million financing agreement in Casablanca for the Airport Infrastructure Expansion and Modernisation Programme (PEMIA). The operation will strengthen Morocco's airport capacity and support the country's growing connectivity needs.
The agreement was signed by Achraf Tarsim, Country Manager of the African Development Bank Group in Morocco, and Adel El Fakir, Chief Executive Officer of the National Airports Office (ONDA). The ceremony was also attended by Saïd Jabrani, Chief Executive Officer of Tamwilcom, the national financial institution providing the guarantee for the operation.
"Through this €270 million loan to the National Airports Office, the African Development Bank is supporting Morocco's ambition to modernise and expand its airport infrastructure, particularly in strategic hubs such as Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, and Tangier. The Bank is also contributing to Morocco's preparations for major international events," said Dr Sidi Ould Tah.
He added: "This operation is also part of the continent-wide transformation agenda promoted by the African Development Bank through the Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme in Africa (IATP). The programme supports African countries in modernising, financing, and integrating their air transport systems to build a safer, more competitive, more sustainable, and better-connected aviation sector."
Minister Fettah said: "There is hardly any major reform or major project in Morocco that has not benefited from African Development Bank financing. I thank the institution for its strong commitment, particularly in the airport sector."
The signing marks a major milestone in the transformation of Morocco's airport sector and supports the Kingdom's ambition to become a leading air transport hub between Africa, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Aligned with the Bank Group's Four Cardinal Points operational vision and Morocco's strategic priorities, the project supports the implementation of the Kingdom's Tourism Vision 2030.
PEMIA aims to enhance the long-term competitiveness of Morocco's air transport sector through the modernisation and expansion of the country's main airports. The programme will increase operational capacity through upgraded infrastructure, expanded air navigation systems, and strengthened safety and security measures.
The investments will provide airports with state-of-the-art security equipment, automated baggage handling systems, and digital solutions that streamline passenger journey, delivering safer, faster, and more comfortable services in line with international standards.
With passenger and cargo traffic expected to keep growing, the project will help prepare Morocco's airport infrastructure for future mobility and connectivity needs.
By 2030, airport capacity is expected to reach 14 million passengers in Marrakech, five million in Agadir, 3.6 million in Tangier, and three million in Fez, further strengthening Morocco's position as a regional aviation hub.
Beyond infrastructure modernisation, the programme is expected to generate significant economic and social benefits. In the short term, it will improve airport operational safety and create several thousand jobs, particularly for young people and women. In the medium term, it will support growth in tourism, trade, and logistics activities while helping attract additional public and private investment in the aviation sector.
