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Morocco intends to finish multiple major dams and initiate a significant water transfer initiative by 2026, as part of a MAD 36 billion investment designed to ensure the nation’s water supply in the face of increasing droughts.

As per the Ministry of Equipment and Water’s 2026 Water Program, which is part of the forthcoming budget bill, the government plans to start building a major initiative aimed at moving excess water from the Sebou River basin in the northern area to drier regions in the south.

Authorities state that the initiative aims to achieve a more equitable allocation of water supplies throughout the nation and reduce the effects of decreasing precipitation and insufficient reservoir capacities.

The ministry mentioned that research is being conducted to link the Aït Ziat Dam with the orbital canal, as well as to move surplus water from the Laou region to the Sebou area.

By 2026, Morocco aims to finish several important dam projects, such as the Sakia El Hamra Dam in Laayoune, which will hold 113 million cubic meters of water, and the Sidi Abou Dam in Taounate, with a capacity of 200 million cubic meters.

Additional initiatives involve the Aït Ziat Dam in Al Haouz, Bni Azziman in Driouch, Tamri in Agadir, and the upgrade of the Mohammed V Dam in Nador. These projects collectively signify a projected investment of MAD 9.23 billion and will increase storage capacity by approximately 1.7 billion cubic meters.

Twenty more dams are currently being built, featuring a total capacity of over 5 billion cubic meters and a projected cost of MAD 27 billion.

The government states that the extended dam system is essential for improving water security, aiding farming, and safeguarding populations against flooding. Additionally, it intends to issue bids for three new dams in Larache and Chefchaouen, with a total budget of MAD 4.3 billion allocated between 2026 and 2027.

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