European Investment Bank accelerates financing in Morocco with 375 million euros in early 2026
via Le Matin2 min read
The European Investment Bank EIB has committed 375 million euros in new financing for Morocco during the first quarter of 2026, following a record year in 2025. In January 2026, an additional 10 million euros was provided for the inclusive and sustainable forest management project, bringing the total commitment to 110 million euros. This project, implemented by the National Agency for Water and Forests ANEF, is part of the "Morocco Forests 2020-2030" strategy and is guaranteed by the European Union, with an investment grant from the Neighbourhood Investment Platform NIP. In February, the EIB signed a 300 million euro loan with the National Company of Moroccan Highways ADM to support a program for modernizing and strengthening the resilience of the national highway network. In March 2026, the EIB and the National Office of Railways ONCF finalized an additional 50 million euro financing, accompanied by 15 million euros in investment grants via the EU's NIP. This follows an initial 200 million euro financing agreement between the EIB and ONCF in November 2022. In 2025, the EIB, through EIB Global, signed 740 million euros in financing for Morocco, the highest amount since 2012. The EIB stated it will continue to support structuring investments in Morocco in 2026, focusing on infrastructure modernization, water access, energy transition, post-earthquake territorial development, and private sector support. These initiatives align with the new Mediterranean pact and the "Global Gat
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Must ReadMorocco is experiencing a surge in cyberattacks, highlighted by recent incidents targeting the National Social Welfare Organizations Fund CNOPS and the Office of Vocational Training and Labor Promotion OFPPT, alongside an increase in fraudulent SMS messages related to traffic violations. These events indicate that cybercrime is becoming an everyday reality for citizens. One victim reported losing over 30,000 dirhams after clicking a fraudulent link disguised as a traffic fine payment, illustrating the sophisticated nature of these scams. Professor Youssef Bentaleb, president of the Moroccan Center for Polytechnic Research and Innovation CMRPI, explains that cybercriminals target data for various purposes, from direct monetization of banking information to identity theft and social engineering using personal and administrative details. He emphasizes that the value of a database lies in the ability to exploit, cross-reference, and analyze information on a large scale, with banking details and professional account access being highly sought after on clandestine markets. Even email addresses and phone numbers retain significant value when exploited broadly. Stolen data circulates on dark web forums and encrypted messaging services, making traceability difficult. Professor Bentaleb notes that cybercrime is increasingly structured and industrialized, with specialized roles for intrusion, data extraction, resale, and exploitation. The emergence of "cybercrime-as-a-service" models an
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