Marrakech is living to the rhythm of Africa. The structural transformation of the continent will be at the heart of the discussions of the 2013 annual meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) which will be held from 27 to 31 May in the ochre city. The choice therefore falls for the second time on Morocco to welcome more than 2,500 delegates including finance ministers, central bank governors and business leaders from 78 member countries of the financial institution.

The participants will focus on issues essential to the development of the region, notably through the examination of opportunities in structural areas such as governance, the contribution of the private sector, the development of infrastructure and the challenges of climate change. Through this choice, Morocco aims to be a strategic point for the AfDB. The African Bank accompanies the various changes that the Kingdom is experiencing, in particular those relating to governance, social inclusion and the strengthening of green infrastructure.

"One year into the implementation of the AfDB strategy dedicated to Morocco by 2016, 13 new operations have rejuvenated the portfolio," notes the AfDB. Energy is a priority. The sector represents 31.5% of the commitments of the AfDB portfolio in Morocco. The transport and sanitation sectors hold, for their part, respective shares of 23.7 and 19.9%. In the same vein, multisectoral reform support programmes represent 8.9% of the AfDB portfolio.

Furthermore, agriculture attracts the interest of the African Bank. The financial institution approved in July 2012 a loan of 105 million euros for a programme to support the Green Morocco Plan. This programme, which will end in 2014, aims to support institutional reforms in the sector for efficient and sustainable agriculture. "The expected results of the programme relate to the improvement of the institutional framework for the management and development of agricultural water in accordance with the guidelines of the Green Morocco Plan," underlines the AfDB in this sense.

Indeed, the expected results of this support concern, among other things, the establishment of planning instruments for hydro-agricultural infrastructure, the carrying out of development studies, the consolidation of water service reforms and the structuring and feasibility of the public-private partnership for the Dar Khroufa irrigated perimeter in Loukkos. As a reminder, the agricultural sector portfolio currently includes 5 projects under execution.

These projects total an amount of 160.38 million euros, including 158.51 million euros in loans and 1.87 million euros in grants.