Morocco is taking another step to reduce its reliance on imported water technology. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has signed two agreements with PHOVA Technology, a Moroccan industrial start-up, to develop locally made hydraulic equipment and new technologies for the country’s growing desalination sector.
The agreements were signed on Wednesday in Benguerir by Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour and PHOVA Technology CEO Yassine Laghzioui.
One agreement will support the development of GreenSense 4.0, a project that uses smart sensors and digital twin technology to monitor water infrastructure and spot potential problems before equipment breaks down.
The second agreement focuses on increasing local production of pumps and other hydraulic equipment used in desalination plants, water treatment facilities, mining operations and industrial sites.
The project is part of Morocco’s wider plan to raise the local content of its desalination industry from 30% to 70%.
Officials say the move will help strengthen Morocco’s water security, support local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported industrial equipment.
“The creation of industrial solutions entirely imagined, designed and manufactured in Morocco is a powerful driver of the Kingdom’s competitiveness,” Mr Mezzour said.
He added that GreenSense 4.0 and the industrial localisation programme would help build a new technology ecosystem capable of meeting local demand while limiting exposure to changes in global equipment markets.
PHOVA Technology also unveiled three energy-efficient industrial pumps during the signing ceremony. The company said the pumps were designed and assembled in Morocco and meet standards set by the American Hydraulic Institute.
The equipment is intended for use in desalination plants, water treatment facilities, chemical industries, mining operations and other heavy industries.
Founded in 2023 at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Benguerir, PHOVA Technology develops advanced hydraulic systems for water, energy and industrial projects.
The agreements come as Morocco continues to invest heavily in desalination to tackle long-term water shortages. The country is expanding desalination capacity across several cities, including Casablanca, Agadir, Safi, El Jadida and Nador, with the aim of securing more than one billion cubic metres of desalinated water each year.
The GreenSense 4.0 project is expected to introduce predictive maintenance technology to Morocco’s water infrastructure, helping operators detect faults early, reduce downtime and lower operating costs.
