Morocco has launched a sweeping $10 billion railway expansion plan, aimed at transforming national transit ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
Approved by King Mohammed VI, the 96 billion dirham initiative includes a new high-speed rail line connecting Kenitra to Marrakesh, the country’s tourism capital.
Spanning 430 kilometers and designed for speeds of 350 kilometers per hour, the line will cut travel between Tangier and Marrakesh by two hours.
The journey from Rabat to Casablanca’s main airport will also shrink to just 35 minutes, revolutionizing domestic travel efficiency.
This push for speed and connectivity reflects Morocco’s ambition as it prepares to co-host the World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Officials hope the rail investment will also ignite growth in the nation’s budding rail manufacturing industry.
Over half the plan’s cost—53 billion dirhams—will go to the Kenitra-Marrakesh high-speed line, serving key cities including Rabat and Casablanca.
In February, Morocco’s state-run rail operator ONCF announced the purchase of 168 trains from France, Spain, and South Korea.
Among them, French firm Alstom will deliver Avelia Horizon double-decker trains, each capable of carrying 640 passengers at 320 kilometers per hour.
The new fleet includes intercity and urban trains, supporting ONCF’s vision to connect 43 cities and 87% of Morocco’s population by 2040.
The contracts also bring strategic investment into local rail production, signaling Morocco’s bid to become a regional transport hub.
