King Mohammed VI launches 96-billion-dirham Kenitra–Marrakech rail project
This landmark project reaffirms Morocco's commitment to expanding its high-speed rail services, building on the success of the Tangier–Casablanca line while incorporating strong environmental considerations. It aligns with the Kingdom's broader sustainable development strategy and its push for low-carbon transport solutions.
Shorter travel times and a new urban dynamic
The new line will link several of Morocco's major cities—Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech—while also connecting Rabat and Casablanca airports. The time savings are substantial: just 1 hour between Tangier and Rabat, 1 hour 40 minutes to Casablanca, and 2 hours 40 minutes to Marrakech. Rabat will also be connected to Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport in just 35 minutes, with a planned stop at the new Benslimane stadium. A high-speed service between Fès and Marrakech will also be introduced, combining conventional and high-speed lines, with a total travel time of around 3 hours 40 minutes.
Designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h, the project will also involve new developments at terminal hubs in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, including new high-speed and local stations and a maintenance center in Marrakech for servicing the trains.
Beyond the LGV extension, the project is part of a broader plan to modernize rail services, including the purchase of 168 new trains for a total of 29 billion dirhams. The goal is to renew the ONCF's fleet, support the rollout of new routes, improve efficiency, and meet the expected surge in demand by 2030.
The procurement plan includes :
- 18 high-speed trains for the extended LGV network,
- 40 trains for traditional intercity routes,
- 60 regional rapid transit trains (TNR),
- 50 units for urban transport in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech.
At the same time, the LGV extension will free up capacity on the conventional network, making way for a new metropolitan commuter train service (TMP) to address urban mobility needs in these three major hubs. This service will stand out for its reliability, frequency, and eco-friendly approach.
Building a national industrial ecosystem around rail
This major program also serves as a catalyst for developing a genuine railway industry in Morocco. Plans are underway to establish a train manufacturing facility in the country, supported by a network of local suppliers and subcontractors. The goal is to achieve a local integration rate of over 40%.
A joint venture between the ONCF and its industrial partners will be set up to handle ongoing and large-scale train maintenance. This will help control costs, enable knowledge transfer, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, while training a new generation of specialized workers over the next decade.
The project brings together leading global rail manufacturers. French company Alstom will supply the high-speed trains, Spanish firm CAF will provide intercity trains (up to 200 km/h), and South Korea's Hyundai Rotem will supply trains for the metropolitan networks.
These partnerships fall under a preferential financing framework, reflecting international investors' confidence in Morocco's railway vision. With this new milestone, Morocco reinforces its role as a pioneer of high-speed rail in Africa and strengthens its ambition to build a more connected, sustainable, and competitive future.
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