Morocco has secured $14 billion in investment proposals aimed at significantly improving the country’s rail connectivity, as highlighted by African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina during the recent Africa Investment Forum.

This investment amount greatly exceeds the $8.8 billion goal set by the National Railways Office (ONCF).

At the forum, the AfDB also sanctioned a $350 million loan for various infrastructure initiatives in Morocco. Additionally, the bank is considering a $650 million loan to aid the country in bolstering its infrastructure in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. This financial support is intended to strengthen economic governance, enhance water supply systems, and develop an industrial area at the Nador West Med port.

Morocco aims to extend its rail network to 3,800 km by 2040, up from the current approximately 2,200 km. The ONCF states that this expansion would enable rail connectivity for 87% of the population and link 43 cities, 15 international airports, and 12 seaports.

Several projects to expand the existing network are already in progress. The ONCF plans to invest $1 billion in acquiring new trains, upgrading current rolling stock, and constructing new maintenance facilities from 2025 to 2027.

World Cup Expansion Plans

Morocco boasts some of the best rail infrastructure in Africa, including its only high-speed rail service, Al Boraq, which stretches 320km between Tangier and Marrakesh.

A project is underway to extend this line to Marrakesh via Casablanca International Airport in anticipation of the 2030 World Cup. Various Moroccan and Chinese companies have been assigned engineering contracts for this expansion.

An extension of Al Boraq services to Agadir is also in the pipeline, further enhancing the high-speed network to a total of 1,280km.

This surge in construction highlights the need for the country to improve its transportation links to accommodate several hundred thousand visitors during the World Cup. Morocco was officially announced as a co-host of the tournament last Wednesday and plans to host matches across six cities – Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Tangier. The Hassan II stadium, currently under development in Casablanca, is one of three venues being considered to host the final, alongside Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

Moreover, beyond the World Cup, the significant interest from investors in Moroccan rail infrastructure points to a positive long-term economic outlook. The country is increasingly positioning itself to export energy and industrial products across the Mediterranean to the European market.