During her first official visit to Morocco, Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (BEI), highlighted the North African nation’s strategic importance as a vital link between Africa and Europe.

Morocco: Europe’s strategic partner

The final leg of Calviño’s visit coincided with the 21st anniversary of the BEI’s permanent presence in the country. She met with Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, to discuss the deepening partnership between the BEI and Morocco.

Following the meeting, Calviño reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s growth, prosperity, and social development. She emphasized that Morocco stands as a “strategic partner for Europe,” praising the country for being a “cornerstone of stability, security, and shared prosperity” across both Africa and Europe.

A dedicated transport investment plan

Calviño also met with Nadia Fettah, Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, to review cooperation efforts and finalize the details of the BEI’s investment plan for the country.

During her stay in Rabat, she signed several agreements with the Moroccan government, blending loans and grants to bolster the country’s transport infrastructure and structural resilience.

The transport-focused initiative includes a €365 million funding package. Of this total, €15 million is allocated as a grant to support climate adaptation measures for the national railway network, managed by the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF). An additional €50 million is provided as a BEI loan, while the remaining €300 million will finance upgrades to enhance the resilience and safety of Morocco’s highways, overseen by the Société Nationale des Autoroutes du Maroc (ADM).

This initiative aligns with the BEI’s broader strategy to promote safer, more sustainable transport systems in partner countries.

50 years of partnership and €12 billion in investment

Since establishing cooperation with Morocco nearly half a century ago, the BEI has mobilized over €12 billion to support key sectors, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), renewable energy, healthcare, water, and education.

In a symbolic gesture, Calviño visited a public school in Rabat, where she attended a musical performance by a group of young students as part of the “Morocco 88” project. This initiative fosters extracurricular music clubs in Moroccan high schools, promoting education, social cohesion, and youth development. It is supported by Morocco’s Ministry of National Education with backing from the BEI.

During her visit, Calviño also commended the economic reforms implemented under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. These reforms have strengthened Morocco’s macroeconomic and financial framework, boosting investor confidence and enabling large-scale investment mobilization.