Morocco Unveils $39 Billion Plan to Double Rail Network, Add High-Speed Lines by 2040

With a network currently estimated at 2,110 km, Morocco dreams of extending it to 4,400 km. In doing so, the kingdom is betting on 132 million passengers per year for an investment of $39 billion, reports agenceecofin.com.

According to the National Railway Office (ONCF), 43 cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants will be connected to the rail network, as well as 12 ports and 15 international airports, thanks to this project. According to the ONCF master plan, the length of the conventional network and high-speed lines (LGV) will increase from the current 2,110 km to 4,410 km in 2040.

In other words, the kingdom should ultimately have 1,100 km of high-speed rail (Marrakech-Agadir, Rabat-Fès, Casa-Marrakech, Fès-Oujda...), 1,600 km of extension of the conventional network (Tanger-Tétouan, Agadir-Taroudant, Oujda-Nador, Agadir-Laâyoune-Dakhla...), 100 km of port connections and 1,610 km of strengthening the existing network.

For the same media, 12 ports (instead of 6 currently) and 15 international airports (instead of 1 currently) will be connected to the rail network in this new configuration. In addition, 43 cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants will now be connected to the rail network. At this rate, nearly 87% of the Moroccan population will be served by the rail network, compared to 51% today.

To carry out this project, the ONCF is counting on an annual market of 132 million passengers within 20 years, compared to 38.2 million in 2019. The state-owned company should also expect an increase in freight handling, from 8.9 million tons of freight in 2019 to 26 million tons by 2040.