The third Rail Industry Summit, a major event dedicated to the railway industry, started on Tuesday at the Casablanca International Fair and Exhibition Center (OFEC), with 600 participants, including 200 companies from 15 different countries.
Running from December 10 to 11, the summit includes business meetings, high-level scientific conferences, and thematic workshops on the sustained development of Morocco’s railways.
Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh told Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP): “The summit aligns with the Kingdom’s ambitious goals and commitment towards a modern, sustainable, and innovative railway development.”
“Among the key achievements in Morocco’s railways is the Al-Boraq high-speed train, a pioneering project in Africa, with five million passengers transported in 2023,” Kayouh said. The official noted: “Morocco is actively collaborating with its African partners in the railway to stimulate trade, enhance economic corridors, and reduce regional disparities.”
The minister also highlighted the area’s promising prospects, mentioning the agreements signed to develop high-speed rail networks inked by France’s President Emmanuel Macron during his visit in October.
The Director-General of the National Railway Office (ONCF), Mohamed Rabie Khlie, pointed out the importance of the summit, which takes place at a pivotal moment as Morocco continues to vigorously implement its development plans across all sectors with a global, integrated, and complementary vision.
“In a Morocco that is advancing and transforming at great speed, the national railway sector has benefited from this momentum, with large-scale projects completed over the past two decades, mobilizing investments totaling MAD 70 billion,” he noted.
He added that ONCF is “relentlessly continuing to develop its rail network, embarking on a new cycle of major projects.” The unprecedented operation to acquire over 100 new trains is part of this vision. The ONCF official says “It works to meet current and future mobility needs, support new structural projects by ONCF, and renew the entire fleet.”
Mohammed Smouni, President of the Moroccan TraIndustry (MTI) Rail Cluster explained: “Since the creation of the cluster in 2021, we have focused our efforts on laying solid foundations for the sustainable and innovative development of the railway ecosystem.”
Smouni highlighted the early years of the forum were “crucial for establishing a clear vision and a national railway ecosystem with a strong technological component, integrated around public and private operators that create added value.”
Sponsored by MTI, the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE), and Advanced Business Events (ABE), in partnership with the ONCF, the summit highlights the Kingdom’s achievements, including flagship projects such as the high-speed rail line connecting northern cities Tangier to Casablanca, as well as other strategic initiatives.
The topics covered include railway infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and technological innovations, offering a strategic vision for the future of the railway sector in Morocco and Africa. The summit’s conferences will also feature exclusive presentations by major railway manufacturers.