Morocco earmarks MAD 38 bn for airport expansion: Morocco’s government head Aziz Akhannouch has inked a strategic agreement with the National Airports Authority (ONDA) to plug MAD 38 bn into national airport infrastructure over the next five years, according to a statement released on Friday. The move aims to expand the country’s total airport capacity to 80 mn passengers by 2030.

The breakdown: Around MAD 25 bn is pegged to expand and modernize airports in Casablanca, Marrakesh, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez, Morocco World News reports. The project is set to focus on the development of a new international air terminal and a new runway at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport. The remaining MAD 13 bn is earmarked for maintenance, modernization, and land acquisition agreements.

Background: Morocco issued two expressions of interest for a new terminal at Casablanca’slargest airport in May. The expansion, scheduled for completion in 2029, will increase capacity at the airport by 20 mn passengers at a cost ofUSD 1.6 bn. Morocco’s ONDA also announced plans to conduct a feasibility study for a new airport in the disputed region of Western Sahara just last month. The project — set to be launched after the study is completed and financial commitments are secured — is set to expand Morocco’s air transport network as well as foster local and foreign investments, as the country ramps up logistics expansion programs ahead of its co-hosting of the Fifa World Cup in 2030.

Who’s involved so far? Moroccan construction firm Stam secured a MAD 294 mn contract for the first construction phase of the new terminal at Casablanca’s Mohammed V airport.

Part of a bigger picture: Morocco is planning to mobilize USD 34 bn over the next five years for a set of projects spanning 35 cities in the rail, road, air, and infrastructure sectors ahead of the 2030 World Cup, AGBI adds, citing a Moroccan government report.

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