Strengthening infrastructure in Casablanca-Settat for CAN 2025 and World Cup 2030

Friday 24 January 2025 - 10:33

In a recent session, the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council unanimously approved 50 points on its agenda, including agreements aimed at reinforcing infrastructure in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The session was led by the council president, Abdellatif Maâzouz, and attended by the regional wali, Mohamed Mhidia.

Among the approved agreements were partnerships involving the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and the Bouskoura municipal council. A notable partnership amendment was made for the rehabilitation of stadiums set to host events related to CAN 2025.

The Council also approved an amendment to an agreement for connecting roads to regional stadiums, including projects in Benslimane and Mohammedia. This agreement also covers compensation for land expropriation and infrastructure adjustments for road networks, with local companies assigned to execute related works.

Further, the session saw the approval of several framework agreements, including those related to advanced regionalization, urban transport investments, waste management, and water management. The creation of a new logistics and industrial zone in Zenata was also approved, alongside plans for industrial development in Leghdira and El Mejattia Ouled Taleb.

A partnership agreement was also approved with the Moroccan Women Entrepreneurs Association (AFEM) to support female entrepreneurship in the region. However, one item on the agenda was deferred for later discussion.

In his address, President Maâzouz emphasized the importance of the second National Forum on Advanced Regionalization, which provided a roadmap for decentralization and administrative efficiency. He highlighted the key directions outlined in the royal message, which focus on the effective implementation of national decentralization standards and the strengthening of participatory democracy at the regional level. The session’s outcomes were part of efforts to reduce territorial disparities and enhance essential services for the population, in line with the regional development plan for 2022-2027.