UAE companies to develop irrigation project in Morocco

Dubai-based Metito Utilities and Tahliya Group, a UAE-based infrastructure company in Africa, have signed an agreement to develop an irrigation project using desalinated water in Morocco.

The desalination projects will be powered by renewable energy, the companies said in a statement released during the Cop28 climate summit taking place in Dubai.

No financial details on the project were disclosed.

• UAE pledges $150m for Mena water security
• UAE focus on water is a timely statement of intent
• Morocco signs $280m deals with African Development Bank

Metito will investigate the potential for teaming up with Africa Water Infrastructure Development, a platform launched by Metito Utilities and British International Investment earlier this year. 

The platform aims to develop climate-smart water projects at scale and to increase water security across Africa.

Morocco attracted $15.3 billion in foreign direct investment in 2022, according to a report by the Arab Monetary Fund.

In its most recent regional economic report, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimated Morocco’s economy would grow 3.1 percent this year.

This is up from the 1.3 percent rate recorded in 2022 when a drought compounded the adverse impact of tighter global financing conditions.