Morocco’s waste generation set to more than double by 2050, World Bank warns

MOROCCO – Morocco’s annual waste generation is projected to reach 17.6 million tonnes by 2050, more than double the 7.6 million tonnes recorded in 2022, according to a new World Bank report highlighting mounting waste management pressures across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The findings, published in Waste Management in the Middle East and North Africa, point to rapid population growth, urbanization and rising incomes as the primary drivers of waste generation in Morocco and the wider region.

Across MENA, total waste volumes are expected to surge from around 155 million tonnes per year today to 294 million tonnes by 2050, an increase of nearly 90%, significantly outpacing the global average growth rate of 70%.

While Morocco will not be among the region’s largest waste generators by volume, its projected growth places it firmly among countries facing escalating system strain.

By 2050, Egypt is expected to generate 62 million tonnes of waste annually, followed by Iraq (49.4 million tonnes), Iran (36.3 million tonnes), Saudi Arabia (35.3 million tonnes) and Algeria (21.6 million tonnes).

Morocco’s forecast waste output will exceed that of Yemen, the UAE, Jordan, Libya and Syria, while Tunisia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon and Djibouti are all expected to remain below six million tonnes per year.

The World Bank cautioned that much of the increase in waste generation will occur in fragile and conflict-affected states, as well as in Egypt and Morocco, which already face structural challenges in waste collection, treatment and disposal.

Inadequate infrastructure, funding gaps at municipal level and limited recycling capacity continue to constrain progress.

Tourism and environmental protection emerged as key concerns in the report. The Bank stressed that MENA countries must scale up investment in solid waste management to protect tourist destinations and coastal ecosystems, particularly as the Mediterranean remains one of the world’s most plastic-polluted seas.

The region also records the highest per-capita plastic waste leakage into oceans globally.

On a per-capita basis, MENA residents generate around 0.9 kg of waste per person per day, well above the global average and equivalent to 69% of the EU’s total, despite significantly lower GDP levels.

Yet recycling and reuse rates across the region remain below 10%, limiting both environmental and economic gains.

The report highlighted untapped opportunities, noting that organic waste accounts for 57% of total waste generated, creating strong potential for composting and bio-based recycling solutions.

It also pointed to the waste sector’s role as a major employer, supporting approximately 4.5 million jobs across the region.

Looking ahead, the World Bank urged governments to deepen private sector participation through public-private partnerships, particularly in recycling, composting and waste-to-energy projects.

In countries such as Morocco, where private operators already play an active role, greater collaboration could be critical in closing infrastructure gaps and building more resilient, circular waste management systems.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE