DailySun
Morocco has garnered $14 billion in investment proposals for its ambitious initiative to improve the country’s rail connectivity, as announced by African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina during the recent Africa Investment Forum.
This figure significantly exceeds the $8.8 billion goal set by the National Railways Office (ONCF).
In addition, the AfDB sanctioned a $350 million loan to Morocco for various infrastructure projects at the forum. The bank is also considering a $650 million loan to support the country in enhancing its infrastructure ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will jointly host with Spain and Portugal. This funding is intended to bolster economic governance, upgrade water supply systems, and develop an industrial zone at the Nador West Med port.
Morocco aims to expand its rail network to 3,800 km by 2040, up from approximately 2,200 km currently. The ONCF reports that this expansion initiative will enable rail connectivity for 87% of the population and link 43 cities, 15 international airports, and 12 seaports.
Several projects to extend the existing network are currently in progress. The ONCF plans to invest $1 billion in procuring new trains, modernizing existing rolling stock, and building new maintenance facilities between 2025 and 2027.
World Cup Expansion Plans
Morocco boasts some of the best rail infrastructure in Africa, including its only high-speed rail service, Al Boraq, which stretches 320 km between Tangier and Marrakesh.
A project is underway to extend this line to Marrakesh via Casablanca International Airport in anticipation of the 2030 World Cup. Several Moroccan and Chinese companies have received engineering contracts for this endeavor.
Plans are also in place to extend Al Boraq services to Agadir, further expanding the high-speed network to 1,280 km.
This construction boom highlights the country’s need to enhance its transportation systems to accommodate several hundred thousand visitors during the World Cup. Morocco was officially announced as a co-host of the tournament last Wednesday and plans to hold matches across six cities – Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Tangier. The Hassan II stadium, currently under construction in Casablanca, is one of three venues considered to host the final, alongside Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
Moreover, beyond the World Cup, the strong interest from investors in Moroccan rail infrastructure underscores a positive long-term economic outlook. The country is increasingly seizing opportunities to export energy and industrial products across the Mediterranean to the European market.
