Historic Bond Issuance Marks a New Era for Casablanca-Settat
The Casablanca-Settat region has achieved a remarkable milestone in its financial history by successfully issuing a regional bond worth one billion dirhams on April 16, 2026. This significant event not only marks the first of its kind for any region in Morocco but also highlights a progressive step towards innovative financing mechanisms aimed at enhancing territorial development and enabling local authorities to tap into capital markets.
This bond issuance has garnered substantial interest from institutional investors, showing confidence in the region's financial initiatives. Notable domestic subscribers include prominent entities such as the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP), BMCE Capital Gestion, CIH Capital Management, Wafa Gestion, Marogest, and Upline Capital Gestion. Additionally, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has also committed to this initiative, investing 400 million dirhams alongside providing technical assistance of 2 million euros for the development and implementation of a green action plan.
Haytham Eissa, the EBRD Director in Morocco, expressed pride in supporting the Casablanca-Settat region through this bond issuance, emphasizing that it embodies Morocco's vision of decentralization and innovative financing. Abdellatif Maâzouz, the president of the regional council, lauded this operation as historic, stating that it represents the first step towards financing the Regional Development Plan, which aligns with the royal directives aimed at fostering innovative financing mechanisms beyond traditional approaches.
Funding Future Projects and Sustainability Initiatives
The funds raised from this bond will play a crucial role in implementing structural projects outlined in the 2022-2027 Regional Development Plan. This initiative not only aims to improve the region's financial and operational performance but also lays the groundwork for a digital transformation framework and integrated management software implementation. Furthermore, it opens avenues for integrating the Casablanca-Settat region into the EBRD's Green Cities program, which is dedicated to financing sustainable and innovative urban solutions.
This bond issuance is a testament to the trust placed by the market and investors in the sustainable and inclusive development initiatives spearheaded by the Casablanca-Settat region, in collaboration with both local and international stakeholders. It follows a comprehensive debt restructuring effort that has boosted the region's financial credibility and its ability to mobilize resources effectively for territorial development. Since October 1, 2021, the region has successfully reduced its debt commitments by over one billion dirhams, paving the way for this bond issuance while simultaneously planning investments of 10 billion dirhams, of which 7 billion dirhams have already been disbursed.
As reported by maroc-hebdo.com.
