The funding will improve traffic flow on the highways. Credit: Schwoaze from Pixabay.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Morocco’s Société Nationale des Autoroutes du Maroc (ADM) have signed an €85m ($102m) financing agreement to fast-track the digitisation of motorway transport infrastructure in the country.

A part of Morocco’s public sector, ADM is responsible for building, operating and maintaining the country’s motorways.

It will use the EIB financing to improve traffic flow and user safety by developing electronic tolls and digital payments.

Installation of real-time traffic monitoring and management system will enhance traffic conditions across the 1,800km motorway network.

The project will also help reduce travel time and costs, as well as enhance user safety while offering new customisable services.

During the implementation phase, the project is expected to generate 6,000 jobs.

EIB’s financing is also expected to improve ADM’s operational efficiency in terms of the collection of fees and the toll stations’ environmental impact.

The funding to ADM is part of EIB’s Covid-19 response and the Team Europe programme that supports the transport sector, one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic.

EIB Morocco Financing vice-president Ricardo Mourinho Félix said: “I am very happy to announce this new financing with the Société Nationale des Autoroutes du Maroc, with which we have had a high-quality partnership for more than 25 years.

“This operation will improve the quality of the motorway infrastructure and the safety of its users. It is fully in line with Morocco’s national priorities in the digital domain and will contribute to economic development and job creation.”