Christophe Lecourtier has taken charge of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD Group), replacing Rémy Rioux, who led the institution since 2016.
The appointment was made after a nomination by President Emmanuel Macron and approved by parliament. The agency says this change marks a new phase in how it works.
Lecourtier is expected to review how the agency operates, simplify internal processes, and improve coordination with French ministries and parliament. The goal is to make the organisation more efficient and better aligned with France’s foreign policy.
The AFD will also focus its spending on projects where it can have the most impact. Officials say priorities include clearer procedures, better oversight of funds, and more focus on results.
The agency is France’s main public body for development finance. It supports projects in over 115 countries, including work on climate change, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and gender equality.
It works as a group made up of three parts: the AFD, which funds public projects; Proparco, which supports private companies; and Expertise France, which provides technical support to governments.
The institution raises money on financial markets and uses it for low-interest loans and development projects. It also issues bonds linked to sustainable development goals.
Morocco is the AFD’s biggest partner worldwide. By 2026, its total exposure in the country stands at around €3.2 billion across 48 borrowers. Cooperation between the two sides began in 1992 and has grown steadily.
Major projects in Morocco include support for the Noor Ouarzazate solar plant, funding for the Al Boraq high-speed rail line between Tangier and Kenitra, and upgrades to tram systems in Rabat and Casablanca.
The agency also supports water management projects through the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water, including wastewater reuse linked to industry. In agriculture, it backs the “Generation Green 2020–2030” programme to promote more efficient farming.
On social issues, it funds vocational training centres for renewable energy jobs, supports groups helping women affected by violence, and runs youth programmes using sport to build skills.
Since France recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara in 2024, the AFD has expanded work in the Southern Provinces. About €150 million is being invested in ports, utilities, and infrastructure in cities such as Dakhla and Laayoune.
Morocco now receives nearly 46% of all AFD climate funding in Africa, reflecting its central role in France’s environmental investment strategy.
