Morocco’s Ambitious Rail Expansion Plan Faces $39 Billion Funding Shortfall

Will the extension of the rail line connecting 43 Moroccan cities become a reality? During the discussion of the budget of his ministry within the commission of basic infrastructures at the House of Representatives, Mohamed Abdeljalil said that the realization of this project requires financing of 395 billion dirhams by 2040 or 2050, according to the prospective study carried out by the National Railway Office (ONCF). An amount that his department does not currently have. "This project could become a priority in the future," said the Minister of Transport and Logistics, assuring that "it cannot be linked to marginalization".

In a recent statement to the press, Mohamed Abdeljalil had explained that "the system we want requires an enormous financial cost", but "we don’t have a magic wand, there is only the state budget." In February, he had indicated during a meeting of the commission of basic infrastructures that "even in the event of the creation of high-speed lines other than the high-speed line, the financial composition will not change", because the funds paid by citizens for the purchase of travel tickets do not cover the costs of the infrastructure. These funds are only used to cover the costs of the wagons, their maintenance and electricity.

If this project were to materialize one day, the development of rail transport should reach 87% in the kingdom against 51% currently.