KOICA, AMEE Sign $13.5 Million Deal to Advance Morocco’s Industrial Decarbonization and Green Skills
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has signed an agreement with the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE) to support Morocco’s industrial decarbonization efforts and strengthen green skills development.
According to a statement issued by KOICA, the $13.5 million project aims to promote industrial decarbonization and build capacity in Morocco’s key industrial sectors. The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Morocco, Yeonjean Yoon, KOICA Country Director Hyewon Cho, and Mohamed Benyahia, Director General of AMEE.
The project will be implemented from 2026 to 2030 and is designed to accelerate Morocco’s transition toward a low-carbon industrial sector while improving energy efficiency across key industries.
As part of the initiative, KOICA and AMEE will collaborate with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to advance sustainable industrial practices and workforce development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Yoon welcomed the agreement, describing it as a reflection of the strong partnership between Morocco and South Korea. He noted that the initiative would strengthen strategic cooperation in sustainable development and climate action while advancing shared goals for a resilient and low-carbon future.
KOICA Country Director Hyewon Cho also expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating that the project demonstrates Korea’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s climate ambitions and sustainable industrial growth. She added that through the sharing of technology, expertise, and experience, the initiative aims to build a skilled workforce and accelerate Morocco’s green transition.
AMEE Director General Mohamed Benyahia described the project as a large-scale initiative aligned with Morocco’s national energy transition strategy. He highlighted its multidimensional impact, particularly in improving industrial energy performance, strengthening skills development, and promoting professional integration.
The agreement also reinforces broader cooperation between Morocco and South Korea in areas of sustainable development and energy efficiency.
Morocco has been intensifying efforts to decarbonize its industrial sector, which the government considers a key tool for improving the competitiveness of national industries. The country’s renewable energy strategy, launched in 2009, laid the foundation for this transformation and has positioned Morocco among the leading nations in green energy production.
Among recent initiatives, Morocco’s fertilizer giant OCP Group signed an agreement in 2024 with Bpifrance and the French Development Agency (AFD) to support industrial decarbonization, sustainable development, and inclusive agriculture.
The agreement includes the establishment of a €50 million investment fund by Bpifrance and Innovx, an affiliate of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). The fund aims to support innovative startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and mid-sized companies in Africa, particularly in the agriculture, agri-food, and green energy sectors.
