The French Development Agency (AFD) has lent Morocco €100 million to enhance the performance of local councils, boost local socioeconomic development and improve community public service.
In a statement, the AFD said the funding follows a World Bank financial contribution of €272 million provided last year to strengthen the capacities of Morocco’s municipalities
The agency added that the program was aimed at boosting the municipalities’ capacity to support economic recovery and local development, as well as guarantee the continuity of local public services.
The plan also seeks to improve the role of local administrations in providing public services, strengthen the administrations’ governance, and build a strong relationship between local public institutions and citizens.
“This contribution will depend on the results achieved by the communes in the framework of an annual evaluation of their performance, carried out by the ministry of the Interior,” said the statement, pointing out that thanks to this incentive mechanism, the communes will have reinforced investment capacities.
The statement noted that, in addition to the financial support, the 5 year-program (2019-2024) would also provide non-financial support, through technical assistance and capacity building adapted to the needs of each group.
The program will also contribute to developing cooperation and partnership between local communities, in order to improve the efficiency of some of the main public services such as public transport and waste management.
