Morocco Plans Domestic Train Manufacturing to Boost Rail Sector

This project, intended to supply the domestic market and conquer market shares in Africa, is part of an overall strategy to modernize the Moroccan rail network.

Questioned by the Istiqlalien group for unity and egalitarianism, the minister confirmed the government’s determination to invest massively in the sector. A State-ONCF program contract, with a substantial envelope of 87 billion dirhams, has been set up to finance the development of the network, in particular the high-speed line (TGV) and the improvement of existing lines.

While the French group Alstom has won the contract for the TGV trains, the choice of the supplier for the other types of trains (RER-TNR, Intercity and RER-Metropolitan) is still pending.

The minister also mentioned the progress of the TGV project connecting Kénitra to Marrakech, which will allow to connect the two cities in only 3 hours, against more than 5 hours currently.

In response to a question from the Ittihadi socialist opposition group, Abdessamad Kayouh detailed the ambitions of ONCF’s 2040 plan. This plan provides for the creation of 1,300 km of high-speed lines and 3,800 km of additional conventional lines, bringing the number of cities served to 43, compared to 23 today. The objective is to ensure rail transport for 87% of the population, compared to 51% currently, and to create 10 regional centers.