Significant Investments in Fes-Meknes Region
The Fes-Meknes Regional Council convened for an extraordinary session on Wednesday in Fes, where it approved nine partnership agreements aimed at executing vital developmental projects. Among these initiatives is the construction of a large stadium in Meknes, with an overall financial envelope nearing 600 million Dirhams. This ambitious project is a collaborative effort involving several stakeholders, including the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, which will contribute 150 million Dirhams; the Fes-Meknes region itself, with a contribution of 100 million Dirhams; the Meknes Prefectural Council, providing 10 million Dirhams; the municipality of Meknes, contributing 30 million Dirhams; and the municipality of Mechouar, with a 10 million Dirham contribution. Notably, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation will be significantly involved, injecting 300 million Dirhams into the project.
The signed agreement delineates the financial contributions of the various parties involved in the stadium's construction while also outlining the general conditions concerning its management and operations. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has been appointed as the project owner, while the National Agency for Public Equipment has been entrusted with the delegated project owner's responsibilities. In a statement to the Maghreb Arab Press, the President of the Fes-Meknes Regional Council, Abdel Wahid Ansari, emphasized that this sports facility will add significant value to the region, especially in light of Morocco's preparations to host the World Cup finals in 2030. Ansari remarked that the Fes-Meknes region is poised to welcome several participating teams, rendering this project a new lever that complements the various developmental undertakings ongoing throughout the region.
Investments in Infrastructure and Education
In addition to the stadium project, the council also approved a partnership agreement aimed at developing a training institute for construction and public works in Fes. This agreement underwent modifications from the one initially adopted during the July 2025 session, including the designation of the Ministry of Equipment and Water as the project owner instead of the National Union of Construction and Public Works. The total cost of this project is estimated at 14 million Dirhams, with 9.8 million Dirhams funded by the regional council and 4.2 million Dirhams provided by the Ministry of Equipment and Water.
The council members also endorsed a project agreement to construct a road leading to the Ras el-Ma logistics area in the Moulay Yacoub region, aimed at enhancing accessibility and improving traffic flow in this economic zone. The total cost of this initiative is 30 million Dirhams, with the region contributing approximately 25 million Dirhams, while the municipality of Ain Chkef, acting as the project owner, will provide 5 million Dirhams.
Furthermore, the council approved a special agreement aimed at enhancing and paving rural pathways and maintaining roads in the Taounate region, as part of the regional development program and other initiatives targeting the reduction of social and spatial disparities, with a total financial allocation nearing 20 million Dirhams. An amendment to a partnership agreement was also ratified to acquire and provide transportation and logistical equipment for the Royal Gendarmerie in the Fes-Meknes region, which now includes the development of a gendarmerie barracks in Ifrane. The total cost of this project is set at 20 million Dirhams, with 6 million Dirhams allocated for the acquisition of transportation means and 14 million Dirhams for the new barracks construction.
Additionally, the council members approved a partnership agreement to establish a new prison facility in the Sefrou province, which will have a capacity of 1,000 beds at an estimated cost of 120 million Dirhams, involving contributions from the regional council, the Sefrou provincial council, the municipality of Sefrou, and the General Delegation for the Administration of Prisons and Reintegration. The regional council's contribution to this project is 30 million Dirhams, while the General Delegation will provide 60 million Dirhams, with the remaining partners sharing a contribution of 30 million Dirhams.
In the environmental sector, the council approved a special project agreement to enhance the air quality monitoring network in the Fes-Meknes region, with a financial cost of 8 million Dirhams. This initiative aims to increase the number of air quality monitoring stations in the region from nine to fifteen by the year 2030, as part of the implementation of the national air quality monitoring program from 2020 to 2030.
Moreover, a special agreement was ratified to enhance and expand the artisanal industry activity zone in Benjellil and to construct an access road to it, with a total financial investment of approximately 58 million Dirhams. The region will contribute 38 million Dirhams to this project, alongside the State Secretariat responsible for artisanal industries. The objective of this initiative is to improve working conditions for artisans and professionals in the area, expand the space allocated for artisanal activities, facilitate access and movement, and enhance the competitiveness of traditional products in the region.
In the health sector, the council has allocated financial resources to support and improve health services in hospitals across various provinces in the region. This effort aims to enhance healthcare offerings, bring medical services closer to citizens, and improve the quality of healthcare response to the population's needs. President Ansari affirmed that this extraordinary session was marked by the approval of "rich and structuring projects" which will contribute significantly to improving citizens' living conditions, enhancing the region's attractiveness, and boosting its economic, tourism, and social competitiveness, aligning with the ongoing developmental dynamics witnessed across various provinces and councils in the region.
As reported by kifache.com.
