Morocco is making significant strides toward establishing itself as a leader in African rail transport, driven by its ambition to provide world-class infrastructure, particularly in anticipation of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup.
The Morocco 2040 Rail Plan is central to this transformation, involving substantial investments to extend the high-speed network (LGV) by over 1,500 km and acquire 168 new trains. The plan aims to capitalize on Morocco’s strategic location, positioning it as a rail hub connecting Europe, the Maghreb, and sub-Saharan Africa.
The National Railways Office (ONCF) is leading this ambitious program, which includes expanding the conventional rail network and further developing the Al-Boraq project, Africa’s first high-speed rail line, currently linking Tangier and Kenitra. The planned extension to Marrakech, via Casablanca, is expected to significantly improve connectivity and boost economic growth.
The project’s impact will be multifaceted. Environmentally, the Morocco 2040 Rail Plan aligns with sustainable mobility goals, as the trains will be powered by 90% renewable energy. This initiative aims to reduce CO2 emissions by one million tons annually and decongest roads, potentially preventing approximately 500 fatal accidents each year.
Economically, the project is projected to generate 720 million working days, engage over 1,000 Moroccan companies, and foster a local industrial ecosystem with a targeted integration rate exceeding 60%. The new 430 km high-speed line between Kenitra and Marrakech, operating at 320 km per hour, represents a 53 billion dirham investment. It will connect five of the country’s most dynamic regions, encompassing 59% of the population and 67% of the national GDP.
The plan also encompasses a local RER-type service, the construction of five new major stations and the renovation of 25 existing ones. The rolling stock acquisition will include 18 high-speed trains, 20 trains for national connections, 60 fast shuttle trains, and 50 trains for RER services.
The “Cap 2030” program aims to quadruple the rail service, featuring 1,300 km of new railway lines and a 220 km regional express network, serving 1,000 trains daily. The objective is to achieve 73% population coverage and strategically link airport infrastructure and World Cup stadiums, thereby enhancing Morocco’s overall attractiveness.
MK/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA