On October 1, 2026, Morocco has officially announced a significant investment aimed at enhancing and modernizing the airports in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fes. This strategic initiative is backed by a loan of €270 million, recently finalized in Casablanca, with the African Development Bank (ADB) playing a pivotal role in the financing agreement. This ambitious project is anticipated to generate thousands of job opportunities, particularly benefiting the youth and female workforce, as detailed by the ADB in their press release dated September 30.
The funding has been allocated to the National Airports Office, with a guarantee provided by Tamwilcom, reinforcing the commitment to improving the country's aviation infrastructure. By the year 2030, the program aims to achieve an impressive annual passenger capacity of 14 million at Marrakech, five million at Agadir, 3.6 million at Tangier, and three million at Fes. To accommodate this growth, extensive construction will include expanding passenger terminals and enhancing the facilities used by aircraft. Notably, a new control tower will be established at Marrakech-Menara Airport, alongside the development of 1.5 million square meters dedicated to aircraft parking and 7.6 kilometers of taxiways, as outlined in the bank's approval of the loan in December 2025.
This project is not just about expanding capacity; it also focuses on improving the travel experience for passengers. The ADB anticipates that the influx of investments will contribute significantly to sectors such as tourism, commerce, and logistics, driven by increased passenger and cargo traffic. The upgrades in the terminals will include the installation of automated baggage handling systems, new security equipment, and advanced digital tools designed to streamline the travel journey.
The agreement was officially signed by Achraf Tarsim, the ADB representative in Morocco, and Adel El Fakir, the Director General of ONDA, in the presence of ADB President Sidi Ould Tah and Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui. This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in the modernization of Morocco's airport infrastructure, ensuring that the country is well-equipped to handle the soaring number of air travelers, which surged from 7.7 million in 2005 to an impressive 32.5 million in 2024.
As reported by bladi.net.
