EBRD partners with OCP to boost water security in Morocco with over two billion MAD loan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a €200 million loan to OCP Group to strengthen water security in Morocco through the development of new desalination facilities.

The loan will finance the construction of two seawater desalination plants at OCP Group’s major industrial complexes in El Jadida (Jorf Lasfar) and Safi.

With a combined capacity of approximately 35 million cubic meters, these facilities will support OCP’s fertilizer production, which is essential for global food security, and help meet the growing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions.

Morocco faces significant water stress, with annual water availability of only 790 cubic meters per capita—well below the threshold of 1,000 cubic meters that indicates chronic water scarcity.

The new desalination facilities will allow OCP Group to further reduce its reliance on freshwater for its water-intensive industrial operations, especially critical as the region experiences more frequent droughts.

In addition to supporting OCP’s operations, the desalination plants will help bolster water security across Morocco by providing desalinated water for industrial use, preserving natural freshwater resources for local drinking water supplies.

This investment aligns with both the EBRD’s Strategy for Morocco and its Green Economy Transition Approach (2021–2025).

“We are proud to support OCP Group’s Green Investment Programme and its efforts to adopt sustainable industrial practices,” said Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the EBRD. “

This financing underscores the EBRD’s commitment to tackling critical challenges like water scarcity and advancing sustainable industrial solutions. Our partnership with OCP Group reflects our shared commitment to a greener, more sustainable future for Morocco.”

OCP Group is committed to reducing its water footprint, targeting a reduction of 3 million cubic meters in annual water consumption, and sourcing 100% of its water from non-conventional sources.

“We are pleased to partner with the EBRD to advance sustainable water management,” said Mostafa Terrab, Chairman and CEO of OCP Group. “This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to addressing water scarcity and building resilience in Morocco and beyond. Sustainability is central to our mission, and together with the EBRD, we are advancing environmentally responsible solutions.”

Since 2012, Morocco, a founding member of the EBRD, has received over €4.7 billion in investments across 105 projects.