Progress on the Railway Linking Marrakech to Agadir

The railway construction project designed to connect Marrakech with Agadir, along with the planned link between Chichaoua and Essaouira, has now established a framework that allows for the initiation of necessary administrative and land procedures for its realization. A decree adopted on September 1, 2026, and published in the official bulletin on September 7, recognizes the public utility status of these two projects. The infrastructure is set to traverse areas within the Marrakech-Safi and Souss-Massa regions, in accordance with the route outlined in the regulatory text.

This decision primarily enables the commencement of procedures concerning the land along the future railway lines, adhering to the legislation governing expropriation for public utility and temporary occupation. The Marrakech-Agadir project had already been discussed in Parliament last May, where the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, indicated that the studies had been completed. The estimated cost for the project is approximately 55 billion dirhams.

Funding and Technical Challenges Ahead

Funding remains a pivotal aspect of the upcoming phases of the project. The Ministry and the National Railways Office are actively working to mobilize international partners who may partake in the financing and implementation of the railway line. One of the primary technical challenges of the project is the crossing of the High Atlas mountains, with nearly 70% of the planned structures along the Marrakech-Agadir axis expected to consist of bridges and tunnels, according to data provided by the Minister.

This future connection aims to extend the high-speed rail network to the southern regions of the Kingdom. It is a continuation of the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed train line, construction of which commenced in April 2025. This project is part of a national railway program amounting to 96 billion dirhams, with 53 billion dirhams allocated specifically for the infrastructure and equipment of the Kenitra-Marrakech line.

As of May, the advancement rate of this line stood at approximately 30%, with service expected to commence in September 2029. However, no official completion timeline has yet been announced for the Marrakech-Agadir connection.

As reported by lenouvelliste.ma.