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 ReadChina aims to deepen its strategic partnership with Morocco, ten years after its establishment by Chinese President Xi Jinping and His Majesty King Mohammed VI in 2016. Chinese Ambassador to Morocco, Yu Jinsong, emphasized a new phase in relations, moving beyond diplomacy to encompass trade, investment, industry, and new technologies. The year 2026 also marks the 68th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Bilateral trade has surpassed 10 billion dollars, with Chinese investment commitments in Morocco also exceeding 10 billion dollars. Morocco is seen as a strategic partner, capable of serving as a platform connecting China, Africa, Europe, and the Arab world, due to its geographical position, trade agreements, and industrial base. The Tanger Tech industrial city project is a key example of this cooperation, with over 40 companies signing contracts and an expected investment exceeding 4 billion dollars, creating more than 22,000 direct jobs. This project signifies a shift from primarily commercial cooperation to a more structured industrial relationship and is part of China's "Belt and Road" Initiative, which Morocco joined in 2017, becoming the first North African country to sign a specific cooperation document in 2022. The ambassador also advocated for the effective implementation of "zero customs duties" for Moroccan products entering the Chinese market, aiming to diversify Morocco's exports away from European markets. Future cooperation is expected t
FIFA has launched a giant countdown clock at Grand Central Terminal in New York City for the 2026 World Cup final. This initiative, in partnership with the New York station, highlights the global nature of the competition and the host region for the final. The iconic departure boards have been reprogrammed to display the kickoff time in various cities across the 48 participating countries. FIFA states that this installation symbolizes the universal reach of the event, demonstrating how a moment experienced in New York鈥揘ew Jersey will be shared simultaneously worldwide. Grand Central Terminal has been a symbol of mobility and connection for over a century, and FIFA emphasizes that the World Cup final also represents a unifying moment, watched by billions of viewers across all continents. The match will kick off at 3:00 PM GMT-4, officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vin膷i膰. Photos and a video of the World Cup trophy displayed at Grand Central Terminal are available to media on FIFA's Digital Hub until July 20. FIFA concludes that the 2026 World Cup final will unite all participating nations and its 211 member associations, from Madrid to Buenos Aires, Tokyo to Rabat, Toronto to Port-au-Prince, and Auckland to Mexico City.
Morocco has introduced a new system to subject digital services provided by foreign companies to Moroccan customers to Value Added Tax VAT. This mechanism, which came into effect on June 11, 2026, with the launch of the "Taxation on digital services" teleservice by the General Directorate of Taxes DGI, aims to integrate the digital economy into the Moroccan tax system. It ensures that foreign providers adhere to similar rules as Moroccan-based companies. The decree, published in the Official Bulletin of December 2025, applies to non-resident companies offering remote electronic services to non-VAT-registered individuals in Morocco. This includes platforms like Netflix, Spotify, ChatGPT, Google, Meta Facebook and Instagram, certain services from Uber and Airbnb, cloud computing, online software, paid applications, and other digital subscriptions. To determine a customer's location in Morocco, factors such as a Moroccan bank card, billing address, IP address, or phone number may be used. Affected foreign providers must register with the DGI, obtain a Moroccan tax identifier, declare quarterly turnover in Morocco, and pay the corresponding VAT electronically. They are also required to maintain records of transactions with Moroccan customers for ten years. While the new system mandates foreign providers to pay VAT, it does not compel them to increase their prices. Each company can choose to absorb the tax or pass it on, fully or partially, to customers. If the 20% VAT is fully pa