Morocco Partners with African Development Bank for Rail and Training Projects

On September 17, 2026, Morocco and the African Development Bank formalized two significant loan agreements amounting to a total of €405 million aimed at enhancing the country's rail infrastructure and vocational training programs. The deal, signed in Rabat, comprises €205 million specifically allocated for the development of the high-speed rail corridor connecting Kenitra and Marrakech, and €200 million designated for the ambitious Cap Compétences 2030 initiative, which seeks to modernize vocational training.

The funds earmarked for the railway sector will support the Railway Infrastructure Development Support Project, which is designed to increase the efficiency and capacity of the Kenitra-Marrakech route by extending the existing high-speed rail line and upgrading current facilities. This project is crucial for improving national connectivity and promoting economic growth through enhanced transport infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Cap Compétences 2030 initiative focuses on diversifying vocational training opportunities in Morocco, aiming to digitize training services, bolster apprenticeship programs, and strengthen the integration mechanisms for the labor market, particularly for youth and women. This program is vital for addressing the skills gap in the job market and fostering sustainable employment opportunities.

The agreements were officially signed by Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister Delegate in Charge of the Budget, and Achraf Tarsim, the African Development Bank's Country Manager in Morocco. The signing ceremony was also attended by Younes Sekkouri, the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills, along with Mohamed Rabie Khlie, the Director General of the National Office of Railways.

Prior to this signing, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved the funding for the Cap Compétences 2030 program on May 21, followed by the rail project approval on July 8, thereby paving the way for these loan agreements which are expected to significantly contribute to Morocco's development goals.

Since its inception in Morocco in 1978, the African Development Bank has mobilized over €15 billion across more than 150 projects in various sectors, including transport, employment, water management, agriculture, energy, and human development, underscoring its commitment to supporting Morocco’s growth trajectory.

As reported by beninwebtv.bj.