Morocco is making significant strides in the development of its inaugural high-speed rail network, a key component of a substantial transport investment program valued at 96 billion Moroccan dirhams (approximately $10.5 billion) over the next three years. This ambitious plan is designed to enhance the nation's infrastructure in preparation for co-hosting the FIFA World Cup games in 2030, alongside Spain and Portugal.
According to Abdul Samad Qayuh, Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, the high-speed rail project is estimated to cost around MAD 53 billion. It aims to connect multiple cities across the country and includes the procurement of 168 state-of-the-art trains. During a recent live address broadcasted on the state-operated Medi1 TV, Qayuh disclosed that nearly 30 percent of the project has been completed, reinforcing the commitment to finish the project on schedule.
Qayuh highlighted that this endeavor is part of a broader investment initiative endorsed by the government, marking it as the largest investment program in the past decade. In late 2024, Morocco awarded contracts totaling approximately $1.86 billion for the construction of a 430-kilometer railway that will link Marrakesh in the west to Kenitra in the northwest, passing through the bustling city of Casablanca along the Atlantic coast. A significant portion of these contracts has been allocated to Chinese firms, underscoring the international collaboration on this transformative project.
The anticipated impact of the high-speed rail network is profound, as it is expected to drastically reduce travel times between key cities. For instance, the typical journey between Tangier and Marrakech, which currently takes about six and a half hours, will be cut to approximately three and a half hours. Similarly, the travel time from Rabat to Tangier will decrease from one hour and twenty minutes to just one hour, showcasing the efficiency this modern transportation system will bring to Morocco's railway services.
Qayuh confirmed that the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the National Railway Office (ONCF), is actively seeking funding for the high-speed rail project from international markets, further emphasizing the project's significance in Morocco's ongoing infrastructure and logistics development efforts.
As Morocco gears up to co-host the prestigious FIFA World Cup, the acceleration of its high-speed rail initiative positions the country as a forward-thinking nation committed to enhancing its transportation capabilities and overall infrastructure.
As reported by tradingview.com.
