MOROCCO UNVEILS GAME-CHANGER IN CLIMATE RESILIENCE WITH AFRICA’S LONGEST DESALINATED WATER PIPELINE

Morocco inaugurates Africa’s longest desalinated water pipeline, a 203-km project boosting water security, climate resilience, and sustainable industry.

Morocco Water pipeline Africa Climate resilence Sustainable industry Water security.
Morocco desalinated water pipeline
Morocco desalinated water pipeline



Morocco has launched Africa’s longest desalinated water pipeline, an ambitious 203-kilometer lifeline from the Atlantic coast to the phosphate heartland of Khouribga. This engineering feat not only addresses the country’s industrial water demands but also significantly boosts national water security.

Developed by OCP Green Water, a subsidiary of the state-backed OCP Group, the Jorf Lasfar–Khouribga (J2K) pipeline is more than just infrastructure; it’s a transformative response to a mounting climate crisis. With Morocco grappling with water scarcity since 2018, the project represents a strategic pivot to non-conventional water sources to support both industry and communities.

Rising 800 meters in elevation and completed in just two years, the pipeline is designed to transport 80 million cubic meters of desalinated water each year. Beyond serving OCP’s phosphate production, it also supplies potable water to the cities of Safi, El Jadida, and southern Casablanca, with Khouribga and nearby agricultural areas next in line.

Backed by a MAD 5 billion (USD 556 million) investment, the J2K pipeline forms part of OCP’s long-range water strategy initiated in 2008. Its impact is twofold: while ensuring uninterrupted operations for Morocco’s most strategic industrial sector, it frees up 80 million cubic meters of dam water for farmers and rural communities, reinforcing national food and water resilience.

The project also delivered a strong socioeconomic boost, creating one million man-days of work during construction and generating 100 permanent jobs. Looking ahead, OCP is on track to achieve full water autonomy at its Benguerir site by June 2025, two years ahead of schedule.

Morocco’s J2K pipeline sets a global benchmark for sustainable infrastructure in water-scarce environments. As climate risks rise across the region, this milestone offers a blueprint for harnessing innovation to secure water and empower communities.

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