The World Bank Anticipates a Significant Increase in Waste Production in Morocco by 2050
A recent report from the World Bank projects that Morocco’s annual waste production will rise to 17.6 million tons by 2050, up from 7.4 million tons in 2022, placing the kingdom in a moderate position among countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
The report indicates that Morocco is expected to follow Egypt, which is projected to reach 62 million tons, Iraq at 49.4 million tons, Iran at 36 million tons, Saudi Arabia at 35.3 million tons, and Algeria at 21.6 million tons.
Conversely, Morocco is expected to surpass the total solid waste production of the United Arab Emirates at 8.3 million tons, Jordan at 6.7 million tons, Libya at 6.5 million tons, and Syria at 6.4 million tons, while annual production in Tunisia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Djibouti is not expected to exceed 6 million tons.
The World Bank attributes these projections to the increasing population growth and urbanization, warning that waste production in the Middle East and North Africa is likely to double by 2050, rising from 155 million tons to 294 million tons annually, unless effective policies are implemented to mitigate the current situation.
The report emphasizes that countries aiming to develop their tourism sector must invest in waste management services to maintain the cleanliness of tourist areas, particularly as the Mediterranean is one of the most polluted seas globally.
Moreover, it points out that the Middle East and North Africa produce waste exceeding the global average, averaging 0.9 kilograms per person per day, noting that in 2016, this region generated an amount equivalent to 69 percent of the waste produced in the European Union, despite significant differences in GDP between the two regions.
Regarding waste management challenges, the report titled “Waste Management in the Middle East and North Africa” states that the recycling or recovery rate does not exceed 10 percent, limiting economic gains, despite considerable potential for recycling, particularly with organic waste comprising 57 percent of the total.
The report also reveals that annual losses from food waste in the region constitute 11 percent of total waste, amounting to 60 billion USD, with individual contributions ranging between 75 and 130 kilograms, while most countries in the region rely on imports to secure their basic food needs, and one in six people suffers from severe food insecurity.
In this context, the World Bank highlighted the opportunities presented by involving the private sector in waste management, recalling experiences from Morocco, Iran, and Egypt, where this sector partially contributes to waste collection and treatment, with broader prospects for strengthening public-private partnerships.
The report concluded by stressing the need to adopt circular economy approaches in waste management, urging countries in the region to increase spending in this area, improve coordination among national and local institutions, and establish clear accountability mechanisms to ensure the effectiveness of services provided.
