The European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union’s (EU) bank, is mobilising a second tranche of €500 million (approximately 5.4 billion dirhams) as part of its €1 billion commitment to the reconstruction of the High Atlas regions affected by the earthquake of 8 September 2023. Gathered on Friday, 5 June 2026 at the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance in Rabat, the Kingdom of Morocco, the EIB and the European Union marked the programme’s transition into its large-scale deployment phase. Guaranteed by the EU, this financing supports the reconstruction programme led by the Moroccan authorities. The ceremony brought together EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris, Moroccan Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa, ADHA Director General Said Laith and EU Ambassador to Morocco Dimiter Tzantchev.

The previous day, Vice-President Tsakiris visited the disaster-affected areas in the province of Al Haouz, where he toured reconstructed and rehabilitated schools and health facilities, as well as the construction site of the main national road crossing the area. This visit allowed him to observe progress on the ground and to speak with local stakeholders. The EIB structured its engagement in three successive phases, adapted to the evolving needs on the ground. In the first weeks following the earthquake, the EU bank mobilised emergency financing to support the most critical operations, including debris removal, equipment mobilisation and the provision of temporary accommodation.

The financing is accompanied by a technical assistance grant dedicated to programme implementation to strengthen institutional capacities and guarantee the quality of the reconstructed infrastructure. This combination of guaranteed loans and technical support reflects the Team Europe approach, further reinforced by direct grants awarded today by the Delegation of the EU to civil society organisations, in support of community-led reconstruction in the affected areas. The programme also includes a component dedicated to gender equality and social inclusion, supported by an action plan developed with ADHA and sectoral ministries, with concrete measures and monitoring indicators across the education, health and infrastructure sectors.

EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris said: “With this second tranche of €500 million, the EIB is bringing its commitment to the reconstruction of the High Atlas region affected by the earthquake to €1 billion. As the programme enters its deployment phase, this financing, implemented in close partnership with the Moroccan authorities and with the support of the EU, will enable the construction of essential, safer and more energy-efficient infrastructure, adapted to the needs of the population. The EIB remains committed alongside Morocco to support this key phase of reconstruction and development.”

EU Ambassador to Morocco Dimiter Tzantchev said: “In a crisis like the one experienced by the Al Haouz region, solidarity is a long-term commitment. The European Union remains fully committed to supporting Morocco’s reconstruction efforts and contributing to the development of more resilient and sustainable infrastructure for the benefit of its people.”