Engaged in a transition towards a more sustainable economic model, Morocco places green finance at the heart of its strategy. In this dynamic, BMCI organized, on January 28, the second edition of the Sustainable Finance Forum, bringing together financial experts, public decision-makers, and international institutions to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the sector.
A strong commitment to green finance
Hicham Seffa, chairman of the BMCI executive board, emphasized the central role of sustainable finance in the country’s development, stressing the importance of ESG criteria in banking practices and investments. According to him, Morocco, as an African leader in renewable energy, must capitalize on this asset to accelerate its economic transition.
In this perspective, BMCI introduced a sustainable inclusive financing of 200 million dirhams in favor of the Al Amana association, with predefined environmental and social objectives.
Essential support for major industrial and water projects
During his speech, Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade, highlighted Morocco’s competitive advantage in renewable energy and green industrialization. He specifically mentioned the key role of green hydrogen and the need for suitable financing to support the 300 billion dirhams of signed industrial investments.
For his part, Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, stressed the urgency of mobilizing financial resources for the sustainable management of water, with an increase in the budget of the national water program to 145 billion dirhams.
The 2030 World Cup and sustainable infrastructure
Chakib Alj, president of CGEM, emphasized the integration of sustainability criteria in projects related to the 2030 World Cup, with a focus on the development of railway infrastructure and reducing the carbon footprint.
In the same dynamic, BMCI announced a partnership with the EBRD, benefiting from a fund of 35 million euros to finance green projects. Another agreement with EcoVadis aims to encourage companies to improve their ESG impact in exchange for favorable financial conditions.
Decarbonization and competitiveness of Moroccan companies
Zakaria Soukri, head of Corporate Banking at BMCI, insisted on the need for a comprehensive approach to decarbonization beyond the installation of solar panels. In light of the upcoming European carbon tax, he urged Moroccan companies to structure their energy transition to remain competitive internationally.
The OCP Group at the forefront of sustainable water management
Lamia Hosni, representative of OCP Green Water, detailed the group’s water strategy, based on optimizing consumption, technological innovation, and the use of unconventional sources. OCP plans to produce 560 million cubic meters of unconventional water by 2027, with desalination and wastewater treatment plants already operational in several Moroccan cities.
A turning point for sustainable finance in Morocco
With regulatory reforms, financial innovations, and the mobilization of economic actors, sustainable finance is establishing itself as an essential driver of Morocco’s development. The Sustainable Finance Forum of BMCI was a new demonstration of this, highlighting the progress and upcoming challenges for a greener and more inclusive economic future.
With Le Matin