Morocco’s Water Strategy

Once known for its agricultural richness and climatic diversity, Morocco is at the forefront of the global climate crisis. From the Rif and Atlas Mountains plateaus to the arid fringes of the Sahara, the country’s natural landscape is undergoing rapid and alarming changes. As rising temperatures and prolonged droughts reshape Morocco’s environment and economy, water scarcity is no longer a distant threat and it’s becoming a reality that has started to affect livelihoods, food security, and economic stability.For the Moroccan case, the IMF estimates that investment in climate adaptation infrastructure yields a better and higher economic return compared to an investment of the same magnitude in standard infrastructure. Their model shows that investing in climate-resilient irrigation infrastructure could reduce Morocco’s drought-related GDP losses by nearly 60%, significantly enhancing economic resilience. This confirms the need for a long-term climate adaptation policy that would help Morocco face the water crisis given its interconnection with Morocco’s macroeconomic performance.In light of this situation, this policy brief examines the growing water crisis in Morocco and its impacts on agriculture, livelihoods, and macroeconomic stability. It reviews the current government efforts to address water scarcity and identifies critical areas where further policy action and investment are needed. The policy brief aims to provide concrete recommendations to strengthen Morocco’s long-term water resilience strategy, particularly by enhancing the effectiveness of existing programs and ensuring that water scarcity becomes a central criterion in sectoral planning and development.