Morocco began the second phase of its high-speed rail network, expanding its existing lines from the city of Kenitra to Marrakech. With nearly $10 billion in investment (96 billion Dirhams), the project continues one of the few actively expanding infrastructures, making Morocco the operational high-speed rail system and the only African country.
The launch, held at Rabato Agdal Station on April 24th, was led by King Mohammed VI. This extension is designed to add a new 430km track and improve travel between three major economic and administratively important cities: Labat, Casablanca and Marrakech. The new service will reduce travel time from Tangier to Marrakech, Marrakech, Marrakech and Marrakech to less than three hours compared to nearly five people now.
The line will also connect major infrastructure such as Rabat-Salé Airport, Mohammed v International Airport in Casablanca, and the planned Benz Remane Stadium. The trains on this line are built to operate at speeds up to 350 km/h.
The high-speed lines are part of a broader national railway strategy, including the purchase of 168 new trains. The government plans to allocate these 18 to extended highway lines, 40 to intercity routes and 60 to suburban railway services rapidly.
This expansion of the train fleet is expected to help manage the rise in demand over the next decade and modernize the aging rolling stock of national railway operators. Morocco's long-term goal is to improve access to local transportation, increase efficiency and reduce congestion in urban corridors.
A key part of the strategy includes domestic production. According to the official plan, more than 40% of train production will be made locally. This includes the creation of new production facilities and joint ventures responsible for long-term maintenance. Authorities expect the project to support thousands of direct and indirect employment and contribute to the development of skills in the rail sector.
The government describes this industrial element as the key to strengthening Morocco's technical self-sufficiency and reducing its reliance on imported rolling stocks and maintenance services.
Moroccan rail investments form part of a broader infrastructure approach, including roads, ports, renewable energy and the digital sector. The high-speed rail project focuses primarily on domestic mobility, but reflects a broader pattern of infrastructure-driven development that also appears to be a cross-border initiative.
One example is the planned Nigerian-Morocco gas pipeline. This is a transcontinental project aimed at linking Nigerian gas to markets in North Africa and Europe. It is unrelated to railway expansion, but highlights Morocco's strategy to connect local economies through large-scale infrastructure.
The project will free up the capacity of traditional rail lines and allow for the expansion of suburban commuting services in major urban areas. These new networks are designed to address urban public transport gaps such as:
Casablanca and Rabat, road traffic and pollution remain challenges.
The expansion of electrical rails is also part of Morocco's environmental agenda. The country has invested heavily in solar and wind energy in recent years and continues to pursue its targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Railways are seen as an energy-efficient mode of transport as a way to contribute to reducing national emissions.
The success of Morocco's high-speed rail programme is due to consistent long-term planning and phased implementation. The Alborak Line, which runs from Tangier to Kenitra, was run in 2018 and was the first in Africa. The current expansion to Marrakech is built on its foundation and reflects the direction of maintaining a stable state over the past decade.
The implementation of this second phase has strengthened relations between Morocco's industrial northern region and the tourism-focused South, contributing to economic cohesion. At the same time, Morocco is increasingly providing railway consultants and expertise to other African countries exploring similar developments.
While countries face different infrastructure challenges, Morocco's experience in railway development may provide useful reference points for other African countries pursuing integrated long-term transport strategies.
