Morocco to Expand Highway Network by 1,000 km Ahead of 2030 World Cup

Regarding land transport, Morocco aims to increase its motorway network by an additional 1,000 km over the next seven years. This vision was announced in early November by Mohammed VI, during the Africa Investment Forum (FAI) in Marrakech. Currently, the network, which is 2,000 km long, connects all cities with more than 400,000 inhabitants, reports Les Inspirations Eco.

"Air transport was the first to get moving, long before the official announcement of the attribution of the organization of this tournament to the trio Morocco-Spain-Portugal. Indeed, as early as last July, Royal Air Maroc, concluded a 2023-2037 program contract with the government. This roadmap has materialized in a new financial support from the State to the national company, which will thus quadruple its fleet to bring it from 50 aircraft currently, to 200 over the next 15 years," explains the specialized daily.

In the rail sector, an investment of around 16 billion dirhams is planned for the acquisition of 168 trains, including 150 trains for inter-city services, fast shuttle trains and metropolitan trains and 18 high-speed trains (TGV), the National Railway Office (ONCF) recently announced.

Maritime transport is not left out. In his last speech on the Green March, King Mohammed VI announced the relaunch of the national fleet. "In this regard, industry professionals believe that Morocco has a good card to play with the World Cup, particularly by anticipating the creation of competitive shipping companies, which will be responsible for positioning themselves on Mediterranean traffic," it is indicated.