The World Bank has agreed to lend $138.6m to the Government of Morocco for a project to improve the country’s municipal solid-waste sector.

The development policy loan is to mature in 28 years with a five and a half year grace period. The project intends to improve the financial, environmental and social performance of waste management.

The World Bank and the Moroccan government partnered in 2005 for the reform of the solid waste sector. The $138.6m loan is the second development policy loan issued by the World Bank for this programme.

The first set the foundations for the Government’s integrated and affordable waste management system. The second phase aims to build on this by enhancing the governance of the sector and improving the sustainability of municipal solid-waste services.