Morocco Accelerates Infrastructure Upgrades for 2030 World Cup Co-Hosting

Since October 2023, and the attribution of the organization of the 2030 World Cup to the trio Spain-Portugal-Morocco, the kingdom is implementing vast projects in different sectors. In the railway transport sector, the National Railway Office (ONCF) has launched a railway development program costing around 87 billion dirhams, aimed at modernizing and expanding the rail network. This program includes the extension of the high-speed line from Kenitra to Marrakech, as well as the development of a regional rail network for high-speed trains in the cities of Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech.

In the motorway sector, the National Motorway Company has launched a project to extend the motorway network by an additional 1,000 kilometers, with the aim of reaching a total network of 3,000 kilometers by 2030, in execution of the royal high directives, specifies the report of public companies annexed to the 2025 finance bill.

In the aviation sector, the National Airports Office (ONDA) has launched an investment program for the development of airport infrastructure. With an estimated budget of 123 billion dirhams, this program aims not only to increase the capacity of the main Moroccan airports, particularly those of Mohammed V in Casablanca, Rabat-Salé, Marrakech, Agadir, Tetouan, Tangier, Fez and Al Hoceima, but it will also contribute to supporting the growth of the tourism sector, as well as the development plan of the Royal Air Maroc (RAM) company, established within the framework of the program-contract signed in July 2023. The latter is mainly aimed at expanding its fleet from 50 to 200 aircraft and strengthening its network of international and domestic routes.

In the field of telecommunications and ICT, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency has launched a project to strengthen the coverage of fifth-generation (5G) networks in Morocco, with the aim of achieving extensive coverage by 2030, with a particular focus on the host cities of the World Cup. This will allow Morocco to catch up. For now, the infrastructure of Spain and Portugal "remains stronger" compared to that of the kingdom. The fiber optic coverage rate up to homes (FTTH) in Spain and Portugal is estimated at 84% while this rate does not exceed 6% in Morocco. Spain has 28 cables (including 3 new ones), Portugal has 22 cables (including 6 new ones), while Morocco has only 6 (including 2 new ones) reaching its coasts.