Morocco is entering a transformative chapter in its transportation history, led by King Mohammed VI, with the launch of a major high-speed rail project connecting Kenitra and Marrakech. With a total cost of around 53 billion dirhams, this new 430-kilometer line is part of a much broader 96-billion-dirham national plan to reshape mobility across the country.
From the Rabat-Agdal train station, the King officially kicked off the project, which aims to dramatically reduce travel times: just 2 hours and 40 minutes from Tangier to Marrakech, and only an hour from Tangier to Rabat. But this initiative is about much more than speed. It represents a deliberate effort to make rail transport a cornerstone of Morocco’s long-term sustainable development strategy.
A key part of the broader plan includes the purchase of 168 new trains—including high-speed, regional express, and urban commuter models—at a cost of 29 billion dirhams. These additions will modernize the national fleet and meet the growing demand in Morocco’s major urban hubs: Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech. The goal is to offer better service, accommodate more passengers, and ease congestion across the country’s most dynamic regions.
But the strategy extends beyond just transportation efficiency. It’s a comprehensive social vision as well. The development of the Metropolitan Proximity Train (TMP) service will provide stronger links between urban centers and their surrounding suburbs. This network is designed to make daily travel easier, faster, and more environmentally responsible for thousands of commuters.
At the heart of this initiative lies a robust industrial strategy. More than just laying down tracks, Morocco is cultivating a full-scale industrial ecosystem. At least 40% of the infrastructure will be sourced or developed locally. The country is investing in domestic train manufacturing, forming joint ventures for maintenance, and building strategic partnerships with global leaders such as Alstom, CAF, and Hyundai Rotem. These efforts are expected to create thousands of jobs and strengthen Morocco’s engineering and industrial know-how.
By committing to rail, Morocco is signaling a long-term shift toward a more competitive, low-carbon, and socially inclusive model of development. The high-speed extension, urban transport upgrades, and growth of an integrated industrial sector all point to a nation embracing a bold and far-reaching vision—one that not only redefines mobility within its borders but also reinforces its leadership role across the African continent.
