Morocco secures $316m for airport upgrades before World Cup

The African Development Bank (AfDB) said that it would give a loan of $316 million for Morocco’s airport upgrades before the 2030 World Cup, according to a Reuters report on December 12th.

The funds are reportedly supposed to help implement Morocco’s Airport Infrastructure Expansion and Modernisation Program (PEMIA), which would deliver several major airports upgrades to enhance the overall competitiveness of Morocco’s air transport, in lieu of the World Cup, which will bring increased passenger traffic to the Kingdom.

The plan includes expanding terminals in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fès, building a new control tower in Marrakech, and adding 1.5 million square meters of aircraft parking space, as well as 7.6 kilometres of taxiways. 

Last year, the government announced that it intends to double Morocco’s airport capacity by 2030, going from holding a 38 million national passenger capacity to 80 million. Reportedly, the airport capacity in Marrakech is expected to reach 14 million in 2030, five million in Agadir, 3.6 million in Tangier, and three million in Fès. 

The investments also cover advanced security systems, automated baggage handling, and modern mobility tools. As Morocco was the most visited African country in 2024 and set a tourism record in 2025, the expansion will also help facilitate passenger traffic in the main tourist hubs of the Kingdom.

The project comes against a backdrop of broader infrastructure development across Morocco, with the AfDB implementing over 150 projects in the country.

The AFDB also approved a loan of €150 million to upgrade infrastructure and improve access to public services in Morocco, according to Xinhua on December 12th. This loan is focused particularly on supporting rural areas, in which improved access to essential services, sustainable infrastructure, and climate resilience is intended to be achieved. Other priorities also include roads and transport networks, drinking water supply and urban renewal. The development of educational, cultural, and sports facilities are also key areas of focus.

Earlier this year, the Moroccan government saw a Gen Z-led movement against the allocation of budgets for the 2030 World Cup, while the country was facing deficits in public infrastructure, the health sector, and education. The protests saw the government re-evaluate and re-allocate the budget, which resulted in a 16% increase for the health and education sectors. 

Reuters, Yabiladi, Xinhua, Maghrebi.org