The Moroccan TGV at the heart of a rivalry between France and Spain

9 March 2024 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 1 min read

The railway projects, including the extension of high-speed rail (LGV) lines between Kenitra, Marrakech and Agadir that Morocco is undertaking as part of the preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) and the 2030 World Cup, are whetting the appetites of China, South Korea, Germany, France and Spain. But it is the rivalry between French and Spanish companies that is noticeable.

There is a strong rivalry between the French company Alstom and the two Spanish companies CAF and Talgo who want to seize the railway projects, including the extension of high-speed rail (LGV) lines between Kenitra, Marrakech and Agadir whose realization will facilitate the movement of travelers during the CAN 2025 and the 2030 World Cup to which Morocco is devoting a significant budget, Africa Intelligence believes. This situation is influenced by economic and political factors, it is analyzed.

Currently, France is working to strengthen its relations with Morocco. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, recently visited the kingdom. During this visit, he reaffirmed the excellent relations between the two countries. A visit that was part of the recent and numerous initiatives of Paris to warm up relations with Rabat. "The President of the Republic personally asked me to get involved in the Franco-Moroccan relationship and to also write a new chapter in our relationship. I will devote myself to it,"