ANDZOA Unveils Ambitious 2030 Vision for Sustainable Development in Oasis and Argan Zones

Monday 06 May 2024 - 09:20

Morocco's National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Zones (ANDZOA) has announced its ambitious 2030 strategy, setting the course for a greener and more equitable future. During the agency's 13th Board of Directors meeting, chaired by Mohammed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, the attendees reflected on the agency's significant achievements and discussed the path ahead.

Central to the meeting was a comprehensive presentation of the development strategy's progress within the oasis and argan zones, as well as the approval of financial results for the 2022 fiscal year. The board also endorsed the medium-term action plan (2024-2026) and the 2024 budget, reaffirming ANDZOA's commitment to sustainability and prosperity.

Minister Sadiki praised the agency's collaborative approach, which has led to significant improvements across all social indicators within the intervention zones. This success is attributed to the joint efforts of ANDZOA, various ministries, public institutions, elected officials, and civil society. The transformative impact of these collective efforts is evident in the development indicators, many of which have met or even exceeded the agency's targets.

One of the key achievements highlighted at the meeting was the significant reduction in poverty, from 13.4% in 2007 to just 6.01% in 2022. Public investments soared, totaling a remarkable 125 billion dirhams between 2012 and 2022. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the oasis and argan zones surged to approximately 145 billion dirhams in 2021, a substantial increase of nearly 49 billion dirhams since 2012.

Employment opportunities have flourished, with 123,871 new jobs created between 2013 and 2022, underscoring ANDZOa's commitment to economic empowerment. Access to essential services has improved significantly, with the provision of potable water rising from 79.74% in 2012 to 95.87% in 2022, while rural electrification rates have increased from 95.07% to 99.61% during the same period. Additionally, road accessibility rates have risen from 72.19% in 2012 to 87.17% in 2022.

Education, a cornerstone of sustainable development, has also seen remarkable progress. The gross enrollment rate in primary education increased from 90% to 98% between 2012 and 2021, while the lower secondary cycle rose from 65% to 92%, and the upper secondary cycle from 45% to 63%.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by drought and climate change, ANDZOA and its partners mobilized substantial resources, totaling 3.92 billion dirhams, to address these issues. The funds were allocated across partnerships, rural development programs, and international cooperation. These efforts aim to mitigate the impact of climate change on water resources through the construction of dams, groundwater recharge thresholds, and other critical infrastructure projects.

Latifa Yaacoubi, Director General of ANDZOA, recognized the agency's achievements while acknowledging the ongoing challenges. To further accelerate development in the oasis and argan zones, she presented the new 2030 strategy, which is built upon three strategic pillars: strengthening regional and ecosystem resilience against climate change, enhancing the social well-being of rural and urban communities to ensure inclusive development, and diversifying the economic landscape to foster competitiveness and growth in high value-added sectors.

As ANDZOA embarks on this transformative journey, its unwavering commitment to sustainable development, social equity, and economic prosperity promises to usher in a new era of growth and resilience for the oasis and argan zones. This vision cements Morocco's position as a leader in environmental stewardship and inclusive progress.