Morocco Plans 420km Highway to Link Fez and Marrakech, Boosting North-South Connectivity

With an approximate length of 420 kilometers, this road axis is described by Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, as one of the "major structuring projects of the national territory." It is expected to directly connect the economic centers of Fez, Meknes, Beni Mellal and Marrakech, while serving other key localities along its route, including Khenifra, Kelaat Sraghna, Mrirt and Azrou.

The announced objectives for this new connection are multiple. According to the minister’s statements, the project’s primary aim is to decongest the current national road number 8 and increase safety for its many users. It also aims to contribute to reducing territorial disparities and stimulating economic activity in the regions it crosses.

This initiative is also part of the preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. In this perspective, the Ministry of Equipment is currently conducting preliminary studies to more precisely define the project’s outlines and its financing method.

However, the realization of this infrastructure faces a considerable financial challenge. The estimated cost, as revealed by Nizar Baraka in a written response to a parliamentary question, amounts to approximately 28 billion dirhams. This significant amount raises questions about its mobilization, especially since the National Motorway Company of Morocco (ADM), which includes this project in its 2025 plan, would be facing, according to recent reports, financial and management difficulties. Consequently, while technical and route studies are progressing, structuring the financing remains a central point for the future of this anticipated highway.