Morocco is “a very large investment country” for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), stated the president of this financial institution, Odile Renaud-Basso.
“Since the beginning of 2024, the Bank has invested more than 400 million euros,” Ms. Renaud-Basso specified in an interview with MAP, on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) which runs until December 6 in Rabat, noting that other projects are underway.
Describing the relationship between Morocco and the EBRD as “excellent,” Ms. Renaud-Basso emphasized that the Bank’s investments in Morocco since 2012 have reached nearly 5 billion euros, with 70% in the private sector.
“We have just redefined the country strategy for 2024-2029 for Morocco, which focuses on three main priorities: promoting the development of the private sector, including SMEs, energy transition, and women’s inclusion,” she said.
For the development of the private sector, the EBRD directly finances companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in all sectors, but also through the banking sector, via partnerships with major banks, to promote financing for SMEs, including programs dedicated to young and women entrepreneurs, Ms. Renaud-Basso explained.
Regarding the energy transition, she stated that the EBRD wishes to support the Kingdom’s strategies in this area, highlighting that the Bank has already financed private investment projects in renewable energies in the Kingdom.
As for women’s inclusion, the Bank aims to facilitate women’s access to the labor market and to positions of responsibility and governance within companies, Ms. Renaud-Basso indicated.