The Coca‑Cola system’s ‘Unite Wetlands Guardians’ Project to Strengthen Water Resilience in Morocco


Casablanca, Morocco, 25 November 2025 — The Coca‑Cola system in Morocco has announced the launch of the ‘Unite Wetlands Guardians’ project, in coordination with Living Planet Morocco (LPM) and led by the Global Water Challenge (GWC). The initiative aims to help restore fragile ecosystems and strengthen water resilience while focusing on addressing water challenges in regions most vulnerable to climate change — especially at the Oum Er-Rbia Basin.

The Oum Er-Rbia Basin serves as a vital lifeline for millions of people within its immediate vicinity and in surrounding regions. As Morocco's second-longest river, the Oum Er-Rbia plays a critical role in the country's water management strategy, enabling national water transfers that supply the Tensift and Bouregreg Basins. This ensures access to water for major urban centers including Casablanca, Settat, Berrechid, and Marrakesh, reinforcing its importance in sustaining communities and fostering regional development.

This project is part of the Coca‑Cola system’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, launched in 2024, and aligns with the Company’s global water security strategy to return 100% of the water used in its finished beverages – through projects that support nature-based solutions, water access, and watershed health.

Through this initiative, the Coca‑Cola system in Morocco is taking bold steps to restore critical water ecosystems while enhancing community well-being, improving agricultural irrigation, and helping to support long-term water sustainability throughout the region.

“Together with Coca‑Cola, Living Planet Morocco and the Global Water Challenge, we are working to help address some of the environmental challenges facing Morocco with the goal of supporting meaningful and lasting change,” said Farid Benchekroun, Managing Director at Equatorial Coca‑Cola Bottling Company Morocco.

The ‘Unite Wetlands Guardians’ will roll out in six priority sub-basins of the Oum Er-Rbia, identified for their high vulnerability and strategic importance to the country’s water security. The project is set to achieve three key objectives:

  • Restore over 1,200 hectares of wetlands to improve watershed health, revitalize biodiversity, and strengthen regional water resilience.
  • Improve irrigation efficiency in key agricultural areas to support more sustainable water use.
  • Empower over 1,500 locals in rural communities through training and capacity building programs, equipping them to better adapt to climate change challenges.

“This project embodies the power of collaboration to create scalable, impactful solutions,” said Yousra Madani, President at Living Planet Morocco. “By combining community-led initiatives, nature-based approaches, and state-of-the-art monitoring tools, we’re shaping a model that doesn’t just help address Morocco’s water challenges but has the potential to inspire solutions globally.”

“The Coca‑Cola Company is taking steps to help accelerate efforts to protect local water resources and build climate resilience in communities in which it operates,” said Charbel El-Beyrouthy, General Manager, the Coca‑Cola organization in Morocco.

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