Doha – The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) has designated Morocco as a priority region in its 2025 competitive grant distribution program, which amounts to €85 million.
The initiative, announced by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focuses on gender equality, combating gender-based violence, and promoting sustainable tourism in key Moroccan regions including Marrakech, Greater Casablanca, and the coastal provinces of Souss-Massa.
According to the Spanish treasury census, Morocco’s interior ministry ranks as the top beneficiary among foreign entities, having received approximately €30 million through September 2023.
The Spanish government has already allocated about €300 million in grants to roughly 250 foreign organizations and entities, primarily in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
This latest designation follows a series of substantial Spanish investments in Morocco. In January, Spain allocated €2.5 million for border surveillance equipment, including 183 motorcycles worth €660,000 and 33 vehicles totaling €1.9 million.
This funding, channeled through the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), formed part of a broader €120 million support package implemented during Pedro Sánchez’s government.
In the same month, Spain approved €2.6 million in emergency funds to renovate the historic Spanish Hospital in Tangier, which serves as both a nursing home for Spanish nationals and a day healthcare center.
Additional recent allocations included €4.12 million for 20 video surveillance systems in December 2024 to be supplied to Morocco, aimed at enhancing police capabilities and cooperation in combating terrorism, human trafficking, and organized crime.
The contract was awarded to Madrid-based security firm Etel 88 S.A., with each system valued at €206,000.
Since 2019, Spain has directed tens of millions of euros to Rabat for migration control efforts.
This bilateral cooperation has been further supported by the European Union, which has contributed over €360 million since 2013, including €234 million from the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.