Morocco’s economic growth is expected to slow to 4.2% in 2026, after growing 4.9% last year, the highest rate in a decade, the World Bank said on Friday.
Last year’s growth was spurred by 2030 World Cup-linked infrastructure spending and a rebound in agricultural output, the bank said in a report.
The government is investing more than 190 billion dirhams ($20 billion) to build and expand rail, road, airports, stadiums and other urban infrastructure ahead of the 2030 tournament which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
The 2026 forecast reflects a continued investment push and improving domestic demand, despite higher energy costs resulting from the Middle East conflict, the Bank said.
“Over the longer term, recurrent drought poses a continued risk to agricultural output and water-dependent sectors,” it said.
Morocco’s growth also remains sensitive to the pace of economic recovery among its main European trading partners, it said.
“While the macroeconomic foundations are solid, the country’s next great leap in productivity will depend on how deeply – and how broadly – its businesses embrace advanced digital technologies,” it said.
