The African Development Bank and Morocco have signed a €270 million financing agreement to expand and modernise the country’s airport infrastructure, supporting a major programme covering some of Morocco’s busiest aviation hubs.
The agreement was signed in Casablanca by the African Development Bank’s Morocco country manager, Achraf Tarsim, and Adel El Fakir, Director General of Morocco’s National Airports Office, ONDA.
Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah and African Development Bank Group President Sidi Ould Tah presided over the signing ceremony.
The financing supports the Airport Infrastructure Expansion and Modernisation Programme, known as PEMIA. The African Development Bank had previously approved the €270 million financing package; the latest development marks the formal signing of the agreement.
Major airport capacity expansion
The programme is designed to increase capacity, modernise infrastructure and improve passenger and cargo handling at key Moroccan airports.
By 2030, the programme is expected to raise annual passenger capacity to 14 million at Marrakech, five million at Agadir, 3.6 million at Tangier and three million at Fez.
The investment will also support upgraded air-navigation systems, security equipment, automated baggage-handling systems and digital technology intended to improve passenger processing.
Tourism, trade and logistics
Airport infrastructure has become increasingly important to Morocco’s tourism, trade and logistics strategy as international passenger and cargo traffic continues to grow.
The African Development Bank says the programme is intended to strengthen Morocco’s position as an aviation hub connecting Africa, Europe and other international markets.
For businesses, additional airport capacity can affect more than passenger travel. Air connectivity also supports tourism, time-sensitive cargo, international investment, business travel and supply chains.
The bank expects the programme to support several thousand jobs in the short term, particularly for young people and women, while contributing to wider tourism, trade and logistics activity over the medium term.
Financing the next stage of Morocco’s aviation growth
The loan is being provided to ONDA, with Morocco’s national guarantee and enterprise-finance institution Tamwilcom involved in guaranteeing the operation.
The financing is part of a wider programme of investment in Morocco’s transport infrastructure ahead of a period of expected growth in passenger traffic and major international events.
The key measures for DGBN to follow will be the pace of airport construction, actual job creation, passenger-capacity increases and whether the expanded infrastructure attracts additional private investment into tourism, logistics and related services.
Source: African Development Bank Group announcement dated September 30, 2026.