nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in MENA, Morocco’s successful perforation of the Al Massira Dam set a “civil engineering standard” that the African Development Bank hopes to replicate to continue improving water infrastructure. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include the pressure on FIFA to move the 2034 World Cup, the Syrian Civil Defence’s new role, and the World Bank’s announcement that Syria cleared its debts.
Morocco’s successful project in perforating the country’s second–largest reservoir to provide drinking water to Marrakech’s two million inhabitants—completed in 2020—is being heralded now by the African Development Bank as a “civil engineering standard.” The Bank hosted its annual meeting from 26 to 30 May 2025 under the theme “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.” This theme focused on using Africa’s many resources to make the continent more self–reliant with sustainable infrastructure.
At the annual meeting, the African Development Bank highlighted its longstanding relationship with Morocco, one of the first countries to receive financing from the bank to improve the country’s water infrastructure. In 1978, Morocco’s King Hassan II launched a bold water management plan. In 1967, King Hassan II announced his ambitious goal of irrigating one million hectares by 2000, even though only 150,000 hectares were being irrigated at the time. Since then, the African Development Bank has invested over $1.5 billion in Morocco’s water sector. Those investments paid off; since the 1970s, the Bank has financed 150 projects in Morocco’s various sectors at nearly $15 billion.
The perforation of the Al Massira Dam is certainly one of Morocco’s great successes. Completed in 2020, Moroccan engineers drilled a hole in the Al Massira dam, Morocco's second–largest water reservoir (which in recent years has been found to be shrinking alarmingly), to provide water to the two million inhabitants of Marrakech. The African Development financed $150 million for the project, as part of Morocco’s National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water’s 2020–2027 National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation. The project aims to supply water not only to the two million inhabitants of Marrakech, but also to the other neighboring towns of the dam by 2040. The technology developed in the perforation of the dam, which includes creating waterproof structures and a conduit and removing concrete, all while underwater, is replicable.
As Africa faces water insecurity, engineering feats like Morocco’s will be necessary to improve the continent’s water infrastructure. Due to the climate crisis, Africa’s glaciers are melting rapidly. As these glaciers play an integral role in water security, their melting could prevent millions of people from accessing drinking water. Investing in better water infrastructure could also greatly benefit Africa’s GDP.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from across MENA:
- Human rights groups are pressuring FIFA to reconsider having the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia, as the monumental task is endangering thousands of migrant workers.
- The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, was essential in saving people from bombings during the civil war; now its task centers around a more peaceful, although no less difficult, rebuilding.
- The World Bank announced that Syria is eligible for new loans for the first time in 14 years after clearing around $15.5 million in debt.
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Morocco sets new standards for water infrastructure?
The Bin el Ouidane reservoir, created by the Bin el Ouidane Dam. Reservoirs like this are critical to Morocco’s water security. Image courtesy of Najlae Lrhorfi via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0
May 30, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in MENA: Morocco sets a new standard for water infrastructure on the African continent, one which the Africa Development Bank hopes to replicate.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in MENA, Morocco’s successful perforation of the Al Massira Dam set a “civil engineering standard” that the African Development Bank hopes to replicate to continue improving water infrastructure. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include the pressure on FIFA to move the 2034 World Cup, the Syrian Civil Defence’s new role, and the World Bank’s announcement that Syria cleared its debts.
Morocco’s successful project in perforating the country’s second–largest reservoir to provide drinking water to Marrakech’s two million inhabitants—completed in 2020—is being heralded now by the African Development Bank as a “civil engineering standard.” The Bank hosted its annual meeting from 26 to 30 May 2025 under the theme “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.” This theme focused on using Africa’s many resources to make the continent more self–reliant with sustainable infrastructure.
At the annual meeting, the African Development Bank highlighted its longstanding relationship with Morocco, one of the first countries to receive financing from the bank to improve the country’s water infrastructure. In 1978, Morocco’s King Hassan II launched a bold water management plan. In 1967, King Hassan II announced his ambitious goal of irrigating one million hectares by 2000, even though only 150,000 hectares were being irrigated at the time. Since then, the African Development Bank has invested over $1.5 billion in Morocco’s water sector. Those investments paid off; since the 1970s, the Bank has financed 150 projects in Morocco’s various sectors at nearly $15 billion.
The perforation of the Al Massira Dam is certainly one of Morocco’s great successes. Completed in 2020, Moroccan engineers drilled a hole in the Al Massira dam, Morocco's second–largest water reservoir (which in recent years has been found to be shrinking alarmingly), to provide water to the two million inhabitants of Marrakech. The African Development financed $150 million for the project, as part of Morocco’s National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water’s 2020–2027 National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation. The project aims to supply water not only to the two million inhabitants of Marrakech, but also to the other neighboring towns of the dam by 2040. The technology developed in the perforation of the dam, which includes creating waterproof structures and a conduit and removing concrete, all while underwater, is replicable.
As Africa faces water insecurity, engineering feats like Morocco’s will be necessary to improve the continent’s water infrastructure. Due to the climate crisis, Africa’s glaciers are melting rapidly. As these glaciers play an integral role in water security, their melting could prevent millions of people from accessing drinking water. Investing in better water infrastructure could also greatly benefit Africa’s GDP.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from across MENA:
- Human rights groups are pressuring FIFA to reconsider having the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia, as the monumental task is endangering thousands of migrant workers.
- The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, was essential in saving people from bombings during the civil war; now its task centers around a more peaceful, although no less difficult, rebuilding.
- The World Bank announced that Syria is eligible for new loans for the first time in 14 years after clearing around $15.5 million in debt.
