Confronted with a prolonged drought lasting over seven years, Morocco is deploying an unprecedented water strategy to address one of the most severe episodes in its contemporary history. Before the House of Representatives, the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, presented an ambitious roadmap aimed at ensuring the Kingdom’s water security amidst a structural deficit exacerbated by climate change.
The filling rate of national dams currently stands at 31.6%, up from 29% at the same time last year—a level deemed concerning despite a slight improvement.
“The government’s top priority is to accelerate the realization of major hydraulic infrastructures,” Mr. Baraka stated, specifying that 14 major dams and six medium-sized dams are under construction, while two new projects will be launched soon. By 2027, an additional 155 small dams are expected to be completed to enhance the resilience of the most vulnerable regions.
Among the flagship projects is the inter-basin transfer project between the Bouregreg and Oum Er-Rbia rivers, slated to launch in December 2025. This system will transport 800 million cubic meters of water to secure supplies for several provinces in the center, notably El Jadida and Sidi Bennour.
This project illustrates Morocco’s commitment to correcting regional water imbalances by linking surplus areas to those with chronic deficits. It is a key step in the National Water Plan 2020–2050, which aims to ensure equitable and sustainable access to water resources across the territory.
Desalination of seawater occupies a central role in the national strategy. The production of desalinated water, which has increased from 32 million to 320 million cubic meters in just a few years, is projected to reach 520 million cubic meters and then 1.7 billion cubic meters by 2030.
New desalination plants are being prepared in the Oriental, Souss, and Guelmim regions. The Souss plant, with a capacity of 350 million cubic meters, will provide both drinking water and irrigation water, helping to reduce pressure on surface resources.
The minister also highlighted the importance of aquifer contracts signed to regulate the exploitation of underground water in critical regions such as Saïss, Boudenib, Zagora, and Berrechid. These contracts aim to establish participatory governance and curb the over-exploitation of groundwater.
