Morocco’s “ambitious” strategy for enhancing and expanding its high-speed rail means that the Kingdom is establishing itself as Africa’s leading fast rail operator, American magazine Newsweek reported.
“The country already has Africa’s only operational high-speed rail line, and its transportation agency, the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) intends to expand the network from 200 miles of high-speed rail to 800 miles in the next 16 years,” the magazine reported.
ONCF has outlined its 2040 Rail Strategy, which includes extending the existing Al Boraq high-speed line connecting Tangier and Casablanca. This 200-mile route, has been operational since 2018 and reduces the normal travel time of five hours to just two.
The magazine also noted that “Morocco’s King Mohammed VI is extremely ambitious to see the development of rail in the North African nation.” “In a 2015 speech, he said, ‘One of my ambitions is to see a rail link between Tangier and Lagouira to connect Morocco with the rest of Africa. I pray that Almighty God assist us in securing the funds we need today to complete the Marrakech-Lagouira line’.”
The planned TGV expansion will extend the line north to Kenitra and south to Marrakesh by 2030, in time for the 2030 Football World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain.
ONCF’s intended expansion will link major cities across Morocco. The plan includes adding 2,300 miles of new rail lines, and connecting 43 cities compared to the current 23. It is expected to boost connectivity, reduce travel times, and enhance economic opportunities.
The project will serve 87% of Morocco’s population, up from the current 51%, and will include connections to 12 ports and 15 international airports, a significant increase from the current six ports and one airport.
The expansion is anticipated to create approximately 300,000 jobs and drive regional development and trade, positioning Morocco as a key logistics hub between Europe and Africa.
In addition to its national plan, Morocco is exploring a groundbreaking underwater rail tunnel across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain, further enhancing connectivity between Europe and Africa.