The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the World Bank have concluded the mid-term review mission of the $350 million Program for Results “Development of the Blue Economy in Morocco” (PFR BE), which took place from February 17 to 28, 2025.
A mid-term review
Two and a half years after the launch of the program, the World Bank assessed the progress made in implementing its components and indicators. The mission kicked off with a plenary session attended by all PFR BE partners and the World Bank. The various players presented an assessment of the projects carried out and the adjustments needed to optimize program execution.
In addition, analysis meetings focused on the fiduciary, environmental and social balance sheets, highlighting the problems identified and the corrective measures proposed.
Field Visits: Taking stock of advances in the blue economy
In addition to the meetings, field visits were organized to the following sites:
- Skhour Rhamna : Visit to a shrimp farm supported by the National Aquaculture Development Agency (ANDA);
- Souss Massa :
- Visit to several tourism SMEs supported by the Regional Development Company (SDR);
- Visit to the newly created Agadir Marine Protected Area (MPA) and discussions with Tifnit fishermen's cooperatives;
- Visit to the dune fixation and coastal forest restoration parks run by the Water and Forests National Agency (ANEF).
These visits provided an opportunity to assess, in situ, the progress of the projects financed, as well as their environmental and socio-economic impacts, and to reinforce the World Bank's commitment to supporting Morocco in preserving its marine resources.
Progress and Key Results
Program components and notable advances:
- Ports and Maritime Public Domain Department (DPDPM): Mapping of the coastline via satellite images covering 1.69 million hectares out of the planned 3.95 million.
- Sustainable Development Department (DDD): Bathing water monitoring, with 184 beaches monitored since the start of the program out of 204 planned, and the launch of the “Iplages” mobile application.
- National Aquaculture Development Agency (ANDA): Launch of 16 aquaculture projects, including 1 farm already in operation.
- National Institute for Fisheries Research (INRH): Assessment of 14 of the 15 planned fish stocks, with direct analysis at sea and in coastal areas.
- Secretary of State for Sea Fishing (DPM): Creation of the Agadir Marine Protected Area through the publication of the decree of its creation n° 2.24.439 in the Bulletin Officiel on February 20, after completion of the legal process of creation.
- Water and Forests National Agency (ANEF): Restoration of 7,405 hectares of coastal forest and 259 hectares of coastal dunes.
- Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT): Promotional campaigns for seaside destinations reaching almost 1.9 billion contacts.
- Moroccan Society for Tourism Engineering (SMIT): Progress on the creation and transformation of 100 tourism SMEs in three priority regions.
The World Bank assessed the progress of this mid-term review mission and made recommendations to strengthen program implementation.
Key Program Players
- State Secretariat for Maritime Fishing (DPM)
- Sustainable Development Department (DDD)
- Directorate of Ports and Maritime Public Domain (DPDPM)
- National Aquaculture Development Agency (ANDA)
- National Water and Forestry Agency (ANEF)
- Moroccan Society for Tourism Engineering (SMIT)
- Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT)
- National Institute for Fisheries Research (INRH)
- Directorate General of Local Authorities (DGCT) as regional facilitator
A project managed by:
Blue Economy Program Management Unit Morocco
Ministry of Economy and Finance
