Morocco's Strategic Investment in Continental Link Project
In a significant move towards enhancing connectivity between Europe and Africa, Morocco has announced plans to invest heavily in the continental link project with Spain, specifically focusing on the vital studies related to this ambitious infrastructure initiative. As outlined in the 2027 budget proposal prepared by the National Company for the Studies of the Strait of Gibraltar (SNED), the Moroccan government is set to allocate a substantial budget of 120 million dirhams for this purpose. This funding will facilitate a comprehensive review of all existing studies concerning the proposed link across the Strait of Gibraltar, aiming to renew and enhance the feasibility and implementation strategies of this critical project.
The budget has been structured to address five key areas of action: the review of all studies, the environmental framework of the project, the exploration of underground structures, socio-economic and geo-strategic assessments, and promotional activities to highlight the project's potential. This financial envelope represents the anticipated total for the year, pending the convening of the 44th meeting of the joint committee, which will further define the project's trajectory. This initiative is a direct follow-up to the recommendations made during the 43rd meeting of the mixed government committee held on April 10, 2023, which urged the revitalization of the project after a 14-year hiatus since the last meeting in Tangier on October 29, 2009.
Challenges and Future Outlook
In terms of operational funding, the management grant allocated to the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the overseeing authority, has been set at 30 million dirhams for 2027. The plan anticipates extending this operational budget to 7 million dirhams for each of the subsequent years 2028 and 2029. The management agreement has been updated in coordination with the ministry responsible for budget oversight, raising the annual grant ceiling from 7 million dirhams to 15 million dirhams. Notably, 7 million dirhams have already been utilized from the 2026 budget.
As of the end of August 2026, significant governance improvements have been made, including the updating of coordination mechanisms between the two partnering companies and the endorsement of an independent director on the board. On the technical front, studies have commenced concerning the exploratory tunnel, alongside a comprehensive inventory of the engineering studies to be conducted under the joint action program. Preparations for updating seismic data and conducting topographic surveys of the ocean floor are also underway, along with the initiation of tectonic seismic measurements using portable devices to assess seismic activity in the strait.
Furthermore, the company continues to forge triannual agreements with the Center for Transport Studies of Western Mediterranean Countries (CETMO) and has launched a study to update traffic forecast data for both sides of the Gibraltar Strait. Three cooperation agreements have also been signed between Moroccan and Spanish institutions, creating a robust technical framework for the project. The company has initiated a digital transformation process, which encompasses the digitization of archives and the development of a comprehensive digital roadmap.
As per the accompanying documents in the budget for the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the company currently employs 10 staff members, including 5 executive personnel, 2 engineers, 1 mid-level framework, and 2 operational assistants. It is important to note that the foundational agreements for this project were signed on October 24, 1980, and September 27, 1989, and were published under the royal decree number 1-91-43 on August 2, 2011.
As reported by hespress.com.
