Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Rural Road Improvement Project (Morocco)

Country : Kingdom of Morocco
Target Area : Nine provinces in northern, central, and inland Morocco (Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Errachidia, Ouarzazate, Al Haouz, Settat and El Jadida)

Loan Agreement : 03/31/2008
Schedule : August 2008 – June 2012 (47 months)

Contexte
Economic activities through Morocco’s transport sector play a large role in the economic and social activity of the country, accounting for approximately 6% of the GDP, while giving rise to 10% of employment in urban areas and 15% of the national budget. With regard to land transportation in particular, 90% of intercity passenger transport and 75% of freight is conveyed by road. However, development and improvement of rural roads is somewhat lagging. With the rate of paving for provincial roads at just 46% and the rate of road access for rural populations at just 54%, the disparity between urban and rural regions is striking. Under these circumstances, the development of rural roads is becoming an urgent issue.

Project Objective
This project is based on "The Second National Program of Rural Roads (PNRR-II)" (2005) established by the Moroccan government. It aims to develop and improve rural roads in nine provinces in northern, central and inland regions (where from the viewpoint of road access rates and poverty rates (Moroccan government standards) the priority is considered to be high) in order to improve traffic access for inhabitants of roadside communities, and improve transport efficiency in rural regions. This will support improvement in the living conditions and poverty reduction for the people living in these areas, which will lead to the alleviation of regional disparities. Various results have been reported from "The First National Program of Rural Roads (PNRR-I)" (1995-2005), including increased use of medical institutions (an increase in visitors to healthcare facilities), improved elementary education enrolment rates, reduced firewood-gathering work for women, increased participation in socioeconomic activities by women, increased fruit production, increased investment in the livestock industry, increased use of fertilizers and increased income from non-agricultural business. Similar effects are therefore anticipated as a result of this project.

Executing Agency : Direction des Routes et de la Circulation Routière (DRCR) in the Ministry of Equipment and Transport

Borrower : Caisse pour le Financement Routier CFR
Loan Amount : 8,439 million yen ;

JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)