Publication date: 2013, May
Author: ISB
Description: Electricity is by no means a newcomer to Morocco; as early as 1891, a public lighting system was installed in the town of Tangier. However, electrification rates outside the cities persistently remained very low. In 1995, over 80% of Moroccan villagers still lived in the dark. Once the sun had set, children found it difficult to study and shops closed their doors. Small businesses were unable to use modern tools and machinery, farmers struggled to irrigate their fields, and rural residents remained isolated from happenings in the wider world.
