The European Investment Bank (EIB) is mobilising a second tranche of €500 million for the reconstruction of Morocco's High Atlas regions affected by the September 2023 earthquake, bringing its total commitment to €1 billion. The financing, guaranteed by the European Union, targets essential infrastructure including roads, schools and healthcare facilities built to enhanced earthquake-resistant and energy-efficient standards, and is implemented with the High Atlas Development Agency (ADHA). The announcement was made on 5 June 2026 at a ceremony in Rabat attended by EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris, Moroccan Minister Delegate for the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa, ADHA Director General Said Laith, and EU Ambassador to Morocco Dimiter Tzantchev.
The programme is structured in three phases. In the weeks after the earthquake, the EIB mobilised emergency financing for debris removal, equipment and temporary accommodation. From December 2023, a transitional phase ensured continuity until ADHA reached full operational capacity. The programme now enters its large-scale deployment phase, aligned with Moroccan government priorities and the EU-Morocco Green Partnership. The financing is accompanied by a technical assistance grant to strengthen institutional capacities and guarantee infrastructure quality, reflecting the Team Europe approach. On the same day, the EU Delegation awarded direct grants to civil society organisations supporting community-led reconstruction.
The programme includes a gender equality and social inclusion component, with an action plan developed with ADHA and sectoral ministries, including concrete measures and monitoring indicators across education, health and infrastructure. The day before the ceremony, Vice-President Tsakiris visited affected areas in Al Haouz province, touring reconstructed schools and health facilities and the construction site of the main national road.
Stakeholder impact - Moroccan authorities and local communities: Positive. The financing accelerates reconstruction of critical infrastructure to higher safety and energy standards, restoring access to essential services. The gender-inclusion component addresses social equity. - EU taxpayers: Moderate positive. The EU guarantee leverages EIB lending at limited fiscal risk, while the Team Europe approach coordinates grants and loans for efficient aid delivery. - EIB and EU institutions: Moderate positive. The operation demonstrates the EIB's crisis-response capacity and reinforces the EU-Morocco partnership under the Global Gateway strategy. - Construction and engineering firms in Morocco: Positive. Large-scale infrastructure contracts will boost local industry, though compliance with enhanced seismic and energy standards may raise costs.
Expected follow-up The EIB and its partners will continue supporting the programme through completion. No further tranches have been announced, but the €1 billion commitment is now fully allocated.
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