The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €450 million non-sovereign partial credit guarantee to support Morocco’s OCP Group in raising up to €530 million for its 2023–2030 Green Investment Programme. The move marks the first time this type of financial instrument has been deployed in Morocco and underscores the Bank’s push to mobilize private capital for climate-aligned industrial transformation across Africa.
According to AfDB, the guarantee is expected to unlock significant international financing to help OCP a global leader in phosphate-based fertilizers transition toward low-carbon fertilizer production, expand renewable energy capacity, and strengthen water management systems. These investments form part of a long-term strategy to reduce the environmental footprint of fertilizer manufacturing while improving agricultural resilience across the continent.
The programme is projected to deliver major climate benefits, including the prevention of more than 43 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions between 2026 and 2038. AfDB also highlighted the plan’s potential to generate thousands of new jobs, with a strong focus on opportunities for youth and women in Morocco and other African countries connected to OCP’s expanding value chain.
The guarantee aligns with AfDB’s broader priorities: accelerating green industrialization, enhancing food security, and supporting private-sector–led growth. By backing OCP’s transition into cleaner production systems, the Bank aims to strengthen Africa’s capacity to produce high-quality, environmentally sustainable fertilizers critical for improving soil health and boosting crop yields in the face of climate shocks.
Analysts say the move positions OCP as a central player in Africa’s green transition, particularly at a time when global demand for climate-smart agriculture solutions is rising. Observers will be watching closely to see how quickly the company mobilizes the new resources and rolls out infrastructure supporting renewable energy, decarbonized production, and efficient water use.
As AfDB continues to expand its support for sustainable value chains across the continent, the approval of this €450 million guarantee is seen as a significant milestone one that could inspire similar green investment models within Africa’s industrial and agricultural sectors.
