The seawater desalination station project in Dakhla is positioned as a structuring initiative, combining technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development. This project, fully powered by wind energy, aims to preserve the groundwater while supporting sustainable and integrated agriculture, emphasized Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, during his visit to Dakhla on Friday.
A development model for the Southern provinces
Mr. El Bouari specified that this project, as part of the development model for the Southern provinces launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, will contribute to the creation of more than 25,000 permanent jobs and strengthen the region’s water and food security. The station, with an annual capacity of 37 million m³ of desalinated water, will supply 5,200 hectares of agriculture and provide 7 million m³ of drinking water for the city of Dakhla and its future Atlantic port.
An innovative public-private partnership
Implemented through a public-private partnership, the project mobilizes an investment of 2.6 billion dirhams. It also includes a 60 MW wind farm to ensure sustainable energy supply. Furthermore, 219 farms will be equipped, with 100 allocated to local young farmers, thus promoting land enhancement and the establishment of a new generation of farmers.
Modernization of infrastructure and fisheries development
The visit also allowed Mr. El Bouari to learn about the modernization of local commercial infrastructures, such as the wholesale market and the proximity market for fruits and vegetables, in partnership with the municipality of Dakhla. These projects aim to improve distribution circuits and sanitary conditions. The wholesale market is already 90% advanced.
In the fisheries sector, the minister and the Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, visited an industrial unit for processing seafood products, currently in the final construction phase, with an investment of 127 million dirhams. This project will generate approximately 500 direct and indirect jobs. Dakhla is now positioned as a national hub for the valorization of seafood products, with a growing industrial ecosystem.
An integrated project for small pelagics
The minister and the Secretary of State also inspected an integrated project for small pelagics, including the creation of six industrial units in Dakhla, for an investment of 1.16 billion dirhams and the creation of 4,378 jobs. This program aims to increase the local valorization of fishery resources and strengthen high value-added sectors.
Finally, a program for distributing radio beacons for artisanal boats has been launched to improve the safety of fishermen, with funding of 20.6 million dirhams. This program will involve 6,183 boats, including 3,207 in Dakhla.
This ministerial visit allowed for the observation of the progress of ongoing projects, aligned with the High Royal Guidelines, aimed at making the Southern provinces an integrated, competitive, and sustainable development hub in the sectors of agriculture, fishing, industry, and tourism.