Morocco and Germany have agreed to work more closely on railways, with a new deal focusing on maintenance, engineering and new technology. The National Office of Railways (ONCF) signed the memorandum of understanding with DB Systemtechnik, the engineering and rail-technology subsidiary of Germany’s national railway company, Deutsche Bahn, in Berlin.
The agreement was signed during InnoTrans 2026, one of the world’s largest trade fairs for transport technology. It sets a framework for both sides to share technical knowledge, experience and best practices, and to work together on ways to improve railway performance.
Predictive maintenance will be a key area of cooperation.
“The cooperation will center on predictive maintenance systems and open the way for an exchange of experiences between the two parties,” ONCF Deputy Director General Mohammed Smouni told Morocco’s state news agency MAP.
“It’s a two-way exchange, so each side can benefit from the other’s experience,” he said.
The deal follows a 2023 framework agreement between ONCF and Deutsche Bahn aimed at expanding cooperation and exchanges.
ONCF wants to use German expertise while sharing its own experience in operating and maintaining high-speed rail in Morocco.
The cooperation comes as Morocco carries out a rail investment programme worth more than MAD100bn ($10bn). The programme covers high-speed rail and conventional railway infrastructure.
German Parliamentary State Secretary for Transport Ulrich Lange visited the ONCF stand at InnoTrans and described the development of Morocco’s high-speed rail network as “impressive”.
He also described the investment programme as a source of major opportunities for German companies.
“German-Moroccan cooperation in transport is beneficial for both countries,” Lange told MAP. He also called Morocco’s participation in InnoTrans for the third time “a good sign” for closer cooperation in rail transport.
ONCF also used the four-day event to promote its work on sustainability.
The office won the 2026 UIC Sustainability Impact Award in the “Natural Resources” category for its Rewater Train project. The award was presented by the International Union of Railways (UIC).
The project treats and reuses 97% of water used in train operations. It has cut the need for new water resources by 70% and recycled more than 8,000 cubic metres of water.
The system was first deployed in Casablanca and is now being extended to Kenitra and Tangier.
ONCF also presented its “Inclusive Mobility” project, which was a finalist in the “Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion” category.
The rail event was also used to develop industrial links.
Morocco TraIndustry (MTI), a Moroccan rail industry cluster, signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Railway Clusters Initiative (ERCI). The deal covers cooperation in innovation, research and development, and industrial partnerships.
MTI also signed a partnership agreement with France’s Federation of Railway Industries (FIF) to increase cooperation between the Moroccan and French rail sectors.
A delegation of about 35 ONCF professionals held meetings with major companies during the event, including Alstom, Spain’s CAF and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem.
InnoTrans 2026 ran from 22 to 25 September in Berlin. The event attracted a record 3,170 exhibitors from 59 countries, around 200 more than in 2024.
It featured 180 world premieres and 113 rail vehicles from 17 countries.
The new agreements come ahead of a railway financing forum in Rabat on 14 and 15 October. ONCF and the UIC will jointly organise the event, titled “Investment and Financing Solutions for Africa’s Railway Future”.
The forum will focus on ways to finance railway development across Africa.
