The first official visit of Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), to Morocco underscored the country’s pivotal role as a connector between Africa and Europe. During her visit, which marked the 21st anniversary of the bank’s permanent presence in Morocco, Calviño met with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to reaffirm the EIB’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s growth, prosperity, and social development.

Morocco: A strategic partner for Europe

Calviño described Morocco as a “strategic partner for Europe”, emphasizing its importance as a pillar of stability, security, and shared prosperity for both Africa and Europe. The visit was framed within the broader context of strengthening the strategic partnership between the EIB and Morocco, with a focus on sustainable development and economic resilience.

A dedicated transport infrastructure plan

During her meetings in Rabat, Calviño also engaged with Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah to review cooperation efforts and the details of the EIB’s investment plan for Morocco. A series of agreements were signed, combining loans and grants totaling €365 million to enhance the resilience of the country’s rail and highway networks.

The rail infrastructure component includes €15 million in grants for climate adaptation measures, managed by Morocco’s national railway operator, and €50 million in EIB loans. The remaining €300 million is allocated to improving the resilience and safety of the national highway system, overseen by the Moroccan National Highways Company.

These initiatives align with the EIB’s broader strategy to promote safer and more sustainable transport systems in partner countries.

Decades of investment: 12 billion euros over 50 years

Since establishing cooperation with Morocco nearly five decades ago, the EIB has mobilized over €12 billion to support diverse sectors, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), renewable energy, healthcare, water, and education.

During her visit, Calviño made a symbolic stop at a public school in Rabat, where she attended a musical performance by a group of young students as part of the “Morocco 88” project. This initiative, supported by Morocco’s Ministry of National Education and the EIB, establishes extracurricular music clubs in high schools to foster education, social cohesion, and youth development.

In an interview with the Moroccan press agency, Calviño praised the economic reforms implemented under King Mohammed VI’s leadership. These reforms have strengthened Morocco’s macroeconomic and financial framework, boosting investor confidence and enabling large-scale investment mobilization.