Casablanca’s Governor Races Against Time to Secure Billions for Crucial Projects
Casablanca’s Governor, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, is on a mission. He’s holding a series of urgent meetings with local officials, department heads, and private sector partners to address a critical funding gap of at least 150 billion centimes (approximately $1.5 billion USD) for essential projects in the Casablanca-Settat region. With major international sporting events on the horizon, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and potentially the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the pressure is on to deliver.
Bensaid, who has held his position for over a year, is working tirelessly to mobilize resources and ensure projects stay on track. According to Moroccan news outlet Assabah, the Governor’s efforts are focused on securing funding for existing contracts with local development companies, fulfilling outstanding commitments, and ensuring the region is prepared to host these prestigious global events. This aligns with Morocco’s broader strategy of attracting international investment and boosting its tourism sector, as seen with initiatives like Vision 2020 for tourism, which aimed to attract 20 million tourists annually (though the pandemic significantly impacted these goals). The World Bank notes that tourism contributes significantly to Morocco’s GDP, highlighting the importance of these upcoming sporting events for the nation’s economy.
The Governor has discovered that current budget allocations for investment and infrastructure fall far short of what’s needed. The ambitious development agenda, packed with crucial projects, requires billions of dirhams over the next 18 months. This includes the substantial 53 billion dirham regional development plan, overseen by the regional council, which encompasses 70 structural programs and projects.
Securing funding for these initiatives is proving to be a major challenge. Local communities are exploring various financial engineering strategies, including seeking funding from government sectors, forming public-private partnerships, and considering loans. However, delays in project implementation, particularly those related to vital services like water, job creation, infrastructure, and urban development, are exacerbating the situation. This underscores the urgent need for local communities to boost their own financial resources, a key concern for the Governor, who understands that progress hinges on injecting funds into the accounts of the companies responsible for project execution.
The financial strain isn’t entirely unexpected. Bensaid was aware that his tenure coincided with the completion of the Casablanca Development Plan 2015-2020, which injected a massive 3,600 billion centimes into the region. This creates a challenging comparison for current funding efforts. Furthermore, the Governor is operating within a context of austerity measures imposed by the Ministry of Interior, which has reduced funding for major municipalities (beyond their share of VAT), urging elected officials to rely on their own resources and maximize revenue collection. This reflects a broader trend of fiscal responsibility within the Moroccan government.
The Governor’s race against time to secure funding highlights the complex financial landscape facing Casablanca and the broader Casablanca-Settat region. Balancing the need for continued development with fiscal constraints and the pressure of hosting major international events requires innovative solutions and a concerted effort from all stakeholders. The success of these efforts will be crucial not only for the region’s economic future but also for Morocco’s standing on the global stage.
