Faced with the urgency of electricity, drinking water, and sanitation needs on the continent, Morocco, through the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), is betting on innovative financing to boost South-South and triangular cooperation. Relying on expertise transfer and strategic alliances with 24 African nations, this offensive aims to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, while promoting structuring projects vital for the future of the continent.
The observation is clear: over 400 million Africans still do not have access to drinking water, while 700 million are deprived of basic sanitation. To meet this colossal challenge, which requires an annual investment of $64 billion, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) is stepping up its action. The Kingdom is establishing itself as a key player in continental water and energy security by focusing on sharing know-how, marked by the training of more than 140 Sub-Saharan executives and technicians, and on lasting partnerships. This dynamic of African solidarity is also materialized within the Association of Power Utilities of Africa (ASEA), which has 57 active members, including ONEE, which sits on its Steering Committee.
The world is facing unprecedented challenges: climate change, the scarcity of water resources, population growth, as well as the increasing demand for energy, water and food. Water is at the heart of these challenges, and addressing them requires a holistic approach.
Tarik Hamane, Group CEO of ONEE – Morocco
In an Africa confronted head-on with climate change, where one in three people will lack drinking water in 2026, and a demographic explosion projecting the population to 2.5 billion by 2050, the stakes are immense. South-South cooperation in this framework allows for pooling resources and deploying solutions adapted to the realities on the ground for shared prosperity. ONEE, with a network of over 100 laboratories nationwide, is at the forefront of sustainable water resource management and water quality monitoring. The company has been a partner of the French Development Agency since April 2026 as part of the Water Quality in Africa program, which aims to strengthen water operators in Mauritania, Senegal, and Cameroon.
By 2030, ONEE’s water supply capacity will cover more than 60% of water needs. This reflects our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and long-term water supply, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. May God bless him. We will also demonstrate how artificial intelligence tools for leak detection and network optimization can enhance the resilience of water systems, and highlight how innovative financing for South-South and triangular cooperation can accelerate progress and improve access to water, in line with the achievement of SDG 6.
Tarik Hamane, Group CEO of ONEE – Morocco
With a view to improving water governance at the continental level, ONEE is a member of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), which officially has nearly 1,000 members. For ONEE, synergy is the key to unlocking the financing of major projects in the vital water and energy sectors. The model relies on agile triangular cooperation, articulated among beneficiary countries, donors, and international bodies, thus guaranteeing the sustainability of the infrastructure.
With more than 50 years of experience in the water sector, ONEE, which accounts for more than 85% of Morocco’s water production, is a leading organization in integrated water resources management. During the 19th World Water Congress, ONEE will highlight innovative solutions and best practices in the field of non-conventional water resources, including the use of renewable energy for water desalination, the production of low-carbon water, and addressing growing demand.
Tarik Hamane, Group CEO of ONEE – Morocco
Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) is asserting itself as an African industrial leader, backed by an annual production of 1.3 billion m³ of drinking water, a rural electrification rate of 99.8%, and 5.4 GW of renewable energy. Based on this expertise, the Office helps its Sub-Saharan counterparts overcome their technical limitations by training executives from more than 25 countries via its Centers of Excellence, piloting sanitary control for major operators (Cameroon, Mauritania, Senegal), and deploying the continent’s first « Smart Grid » platform to modernize the digital management of electrical networks.
