Morocco and French water utility Veolia have resumed discussions regarding the construction of a seawater desalination plant near Rabat, according to reports from Moroccan media. The project, which had been paused, aims to address water scarcity in the Rabat-Casablanca coastal region.
The plant is expected to have a capacity of 200,000 to 300,000 cubic meters per day, making it one of the largest in Africa. It would supply drinking water to over 5 million people in the region, which faces chronic water stress due to drought and population growth.
Veolia, which already operates desalination plants in several countries, including the Gulf, would be the lead developer. The Moroccan government is seeking to accelerate the project as part of its national water strategy, which includes building multiple desalination plants along the Atlantic coast.
No timeline or financial details have been disclosed, but the project is considered a priority for Morocco's water security. The country has experienced severe droughts in recent years, with reservoir levels dropping to critical lows.
