Sustainable Water Solution for Moroccan Farmers and Households
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced a €100 million loan to OCP Group, the world leader in plant nutrition solutions and phosphate-based fertilizers, to increase the supply of sustainable water for fertilizer production in Morocco. The loan will support the construction of a 219-kilometer water pipeline and pumping station to transport desalinated water from OCP Group’s existing and planned desalination plants in Jorf Lasfar to the company’s production operations in Khouribga.
The project aims to provide a sustainable and reliable source of water for OCP Group, freeing up water for use by farmers, businesses, and consumers in and around Khouribga. Morocco is working hard to tackle severe water stress, affecting agricultural production and impacting the country’s economic development. The project will help address this challenge by providing a reliable source of water for fertilizer production, supporting the country’s priority for sustainable development.
"We are grateful for IFC’s support in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time – water scarcity," said Mostafa Terrab, Chairman and CEO of OCP Group. "This project is a testament to OCP Group’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation. By securing a reliable source of desalinated water, we are not only enabling the continued growth of our operations but also providing essential resources to local communities."
The pipeline is part of OCP Group’s Water Program, which aims to supply 100% non-conventional water to the Group by the end of 2024. By 2027, OCP Group plans to have a production capacity of 560 million m3/year of desalinated water and 60 million m3/year of treated wastewater. This will not only guarantee supplies for its industrial operations but also provide spare capacity for local communities, building their resilience to climate change.
The project supports Morocco’s priority for sustainable development and is closely aligned with the World Bank Group’s strategy in Morocco, which includes a strong focus on climate. By 2030, the pipeline is expected to be exclusively powered by renewable sources, improving access to sustainable water resources and increasing resilience to climate shocks.
The IFC’s country strategy for Morocco focuses on enabling investments that contribute to the scaling of sustainable infrastructure and promoting green and inclusive growth. Since 2021, IFC and OCP Group have partnered to develop sustainable food systems in Africa, build solar plants and green fertilizer production, promote gender equality, and support the Group’s sustainability strategy.
For more than 60 years, IFC has worked with public and private sector partners to support small businesses, manufacturers, agribusinesses, infrastructure, the financial sector, and more in Morocco. In the past three fiscal years, IFC has invested and mobilized more than $1 billion to support sustainable economic development.
