Thanks to rail modernisation, Morocco’s economy is set to enjoy a real boom, with the creation of thousands of
jobs.
Morocco, the only African country with a high-speed train line, has announced a plan to build 1,300 km of high-speed rail lines by 2040.
Since 2018, the Moroccan high-speed train (TGV) has linked Tangiers to Casablanca in almost two hours, considerably reducing the five-hour journey time.
Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohamed Adeljali, has stated that the Mohammed V international airport in Casablanca and the Rabat-Sale airport will be connected by TGV. This project is part of the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF)’s “Rail Plan 2040”, which aims to strengthen rail connections between the kingdom’s cities and airports.
The plan calls for the construction of 1,300 km of new high-speed lines and 3,800 km of additional rail lines, linking 43 cities instead of the current 23. The authorities estimate that 87 percent of the national population, compared with 51 percent today, will benefit from this modernised network. In addition, 12 ports and 15 international airports will be served, compared with 6 and 1 respectively at present.
The modernisation of the rail network should stimulate the Moroccan economy, creating thousands of jobs and boosting tourism by optimising journey times. The technical partners for this project have not yet been announced, but the French group Alstom, which was involved in the first Moroccan TGV, could be called upon again.
The authorities anticipate that it will provide transport for 87 percent of the country’s population, compared with 51 percent today.
In addition, there will be links to 12 ports, compared with 6 at present, as well as 15 international airports. For the moment, only Mohammed V airport is connected. According to the government, Morocco’s economy is set to boom as a result of this rail modernisation, with the creation of thousands of jobs.
The same applies to tourism, which will also benefit from this boost by optimising journey times between cities.
MN/ac/fss/as/APA