On September 7, 2026, the African Development Bank announced its approval for a substantial loan of €205 million (approximately $234 million) to Morocco. This funding is intended to bolster the expansion of the country's high-speed rail network and to enhance the infrastructure of one of the busiest transport corridors in the nation, facilitating preparations for the upcoming 2030 World Cup hosted jointly with Spain and Portugal.
The bank stated that this financial support aims to "increase the capacity and operational performance of the railway line between Kenitra and Marrakech," which handles a significant portion of passenger and freight transport in Morocco. This initiative is part of a broader Moroccan plan to invest around $10 billion in developing intercity rail networks and urban transport systems, including the establishment of a high-speed rail line to Marrakech.
Transforming Morocco's Transport Landscape
The new rail line will span 430 kilometers, beginning from Kenitra on the Atlantic coast and passing through the capital city of Rabat and the major urban center of Casablanca before reaching Marrakech. This expansion is set to enhance connectivity between Morocco's most important economic and tourist hubs, significantly improving travel efficiency across the region. According to official data from the National Office of Railways and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the total cost of the project is estimated at around 96 billion dirhams (approximately $9.6 billion), with the operational speed of the line anticipated to reach 320 kilometers per hour.
The project will also involve the construction of a 3-kilometer tunnel beneath the capital, along with direct connections to the Grand Stadium in Benslimane and Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, all integral components of the infrastructure development plan for the 2030 World Cup.
Once completed, the new rail line is expected to reduce travel time between Tangier and Marrakech to just 2 hours and 40 minutes, a significant decrease from the current travel duration of 5 hours. Additionally, the journey time from Rabat to Mohammed V Airport is projected to decrease to approximately 35 minutes.
Advancing the Local Rail Industry
In parallel with these developments, Morocco is actively modernizing its rail fleet through contracts for the acquisition of 168 new trains, which will include high-speed trains. A key condition of these contracts is the transfer of technology and the elevation of local industrial integration to over 40%, aimed at enhancing the domestic railway industry and expanding its operational capacity. This holistic approach not only prepares Morocco for the global spotlight of the World Cup but also lays the groundwork for a more efficient and sustainable transportation framework in the years to come.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
