Spanish Firms Eye $38 Billion Moroccan Rail Project, Challenging French Dominance

These large Spanish groups intend to position themselves to win projects in this mega program of Morocco aimed at renewing its rail infrastructure and building new high-speed lines. With the help of their government, they are ready to compete with French companies like Alstom, which seven years ago carried out the kingdom’s first high-speed line, connecting Tangier to Casablanca.

During the High-Level Meeting between Spain and Morocco held in early February in Rabat, Spanish Transport Minister Raquel Sánchez told Moroccan Transport and Logistics Minister Mohammed Abdeljalil and Infrastructure and Water Minister Nizar Baraka of the interest of large Spanish companies to participate in the infrastructure projects underway in the kingdom.

"Spain wishes to be present in the new infrastructure developments, particularly in the high-speed rail network extension projects and the airport network," the Spanish minister had declared. At the end of the meeting, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at "strengthening cooperation in the field of transport, with a focus on rail and its infrastructure".

Rabat plans to mobilize 34.7 billion euros by 2040 for the construction of 1,100 kilometers of new high-speed lines, such as those that will connect Kenitra and Casablanca to Marrakech or Agadir, or Rabat to Oujda. All these projects are under study. The kingdom intends to invest 2.14 billion euros by 2025, part of which will be used to acquire 100 trains. Spanish companies like Renfe and Adif, already in partnership with ONCF, or ALSA and Balearia, intend to play their part.