Morocco is set to receive a €270 million loan from the African Development Bank Group to support a sweeping modernization of its airport infrastructure. The funding will fuel a national plan aimed at upgrading major airport hubs to keep pace with rapidly increasing air traffic, with projections pointing to a significant surge by 2030.
The program will target key airports in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez, all of which are slated for major expansions. Planned upgrades include enlarged terminals, a brand-new air traffic control tower in Marrakech, aircraft parking areas spanning 1.5 million square meters, and the construction of over seven kilometers of taxiways. These improvements are designed not only to handle the expected growth in passenger numbers but also to prepare Morocco for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host.
This infrastructure push aims to future-proof Morocco’s aviation sector by enhancing safety, efficiency, and passenger experience. The upgrades will include next-generation security equipment, automated baggage handling systems, expanded air navigation networks, and improved mobility solutions throughout airport facilities.
The African Development Bank’s Morocco office emphasized that the project is part of a broader strategy to elevate the country’s global image and strengthen its role as a logistics hub in the region. Beyond just increasing capacity, the initiative is also geared toward improving service quality for travelers, creating a smoother, more modern airport experience.
In the short term, construction and development are expected to create thousands of jobs, with a strong focus on youth and female employment. Over the medium term, the impact is expected to ripple across key sectors, boosting tourism, trade, and investment linked to the transportation ecosystem.
By the end of the decade, airport capacity will see a dramatic leap: Marrakech is projected to handle 14 million passengers annually, Agadir five million, Tangier 3.6 million, and Fez three million. These increases are central to Morocco’s goal of becoming a top-tier air travel hub in Africa and beyond.
