The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ( EBRD ) is providing a senior loan of €110 million ( US$118.86 billion ) to support the development of an economic zone within the Nador West Med industrial port complex in Morocco.

The financing package will support land development work for industrial and logistics platforms within the economic zone adjacent to Nador West Med port, as well as helping to finance an on-site desalination plant, two wastewater treatment plants, and energy-efficient street lighting. 

The financing will promote the use of sustainable water management solutions and energy-saving technologies for the economic zone’s public lighting, contributing to the climate resilience of the zone.

The industrial port complex is located near the city of Nador in Morocco’s Oriental region. The development of the zone is expected to unlock the economic potential of the region, attracting foreign direct investment, boosting private-sector development and creating employment opportunities for the local population. 

The bank’s loan to Betoya Industriel and Logistic Zone ( BILZ ) is backed by a sovereign guarantee and is complemented by three investment grants: €5 million from the EBRD; US$3 million from the United Kingdom under the High-Impact Partnership on Climate Action; and US$2.5 million from the Global Environment Facility under the Environmental Technology Transfer programme. This is the EBRD's third investment in the Nador West Med complex, following the provision of financing in 2015 and 2022. 

“We are delighted to continue to support the development of the Nador West Med complex, a landmark project that is set to unlock the economic potential of Morocco’s Oriental region,” says Sue Barrett, director of the EBRD’s Europe, Middle East and Africa infrastructure team. “This project is expected to be a replicable model of a climate-resilient digital economic zone, attracting foreign direct investment, furthering private-sector development and creating job opportunities for the local population.”

BILZ is a state-owned limited liability company established in Morocco in 2023 to manage and develop the economic zone adjacent to Nador West Med port. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Société Nador West Med – also a state-owned limited liability company and an existing client of the EBRD under the Nador West Med port project.

Morocco is a founding member of the EBRD and became a recipient of bank financing in 2012. To date, the bank has invested more than €5.3 billion in the country through 112 projects.