Identification of water and climate-related investment opportunities in Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia
The purpose of this report is to review potential investment opportunities in water and climate adaptation and mitigation. Our review included national and regional large-scale investments that attract international investors such. Examples include the Red Sea Dead Sea project, waste-to-energy in Lebanon, and water management in Tunisia. In addition, we reviewed potential national niches that may attract investors. For Jordan, we identified potential investments in industrial clusters that can use unconventional water sources and renewable energy to provide a competitive climate for its inhabitants. Brackish water farming was also highlighted as a potential investment opportunity in Jordan, so was eco-tourism through localized innovative investments (e.g., Karak Castle renovation). Lastly for Jordan, wastewater treatment and the use of treated wastewater for farming by private investors or through PPP with municipalities is highlighted as a potential investment opportunity. The current challenging economic, financial, and political climate is not expected to attract serious investors, however, several initiative including that led by the French President Macron are due to bring in tens of millions of Euros in grants and investments if Lebanon can enact the needed reforms and restore investor confidence in the country. Highlighted potential investments include hydro-generation and waste to energy. Tunisia, which has undergone serious reform in the past decade, is projected to attract serious investments in the coming years. Highlighted investment opportunities include private water desalination, floating solar PV power plants, and waste-to-energy investments. The report also lists potential investors for each of the three countries categorized as anchor investors, individual investors, development banks, international development agencies, and institutional investors.
Authors: Almotaz Abadi and Marwan Raggad
July 2021
