Morocco secures €270 million from AfDB to upgrade airport infrastructure

Friday 12 December 2025 - 10:00

By: Sahili Aya

Morocco secures €270 million from AfDB to upgrade airport infrastructure

Morocco has obtained €270 million in financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support a large-scale program aimed at expanding and modernizing the country’s airport infrastructure. The initiative, known as the Airport Infrastructure Extension and Modernization Program (PEMIA), seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of Morocco’s aviation sector by upgrading major national platforms.

According to the AfDB, the program focuses on increasing airport capacity by improving infrastructure, expanding air navigation systems, and reinforcing safety and security mechanisms. These enhancements will help the kingdom manage rising passenger and cargo traffic expected by 2030, especially as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The investment includes installing advanced security equipment, modern mobility systems, and automated baggage-handling technologies to deliver a smoother, safer, and more efficient travel experience.

Several airports are slated for major upgrades, including those in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez. Planned works involve expanding terminals, building a new control tower in Marrakech, and developing 1.5 million square meters of aircraft parking areas along with more than seven kilometers of taxiways.

AfDB representatives emphasized that the project will reinforce Morocco’s tourism momentum and elevate its air logistics infrastructure to international standards. In addition to boosting safety and operational capacity, the initiative is expected to generate thousands of jobs in the short term, particularly for women and young people.

By 2030, the expanded facilities are projected to significantly increase airport capacity: up to 14 million passengers in Marrakech, five million in Agadir, 3.6 million in Tangier, and three million in Fez. These improvements will strengthen Morocco’s position as a regional aviation hub.