Kenitra: The Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (HSL), recently inaugurated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is anticipated to significantly bolster Morocco’s national economy. Abdessamad Kayouh, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, emphasized that this strategic project will drastically reduce travel times by up to 70% between some of the country’s major cities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative aims to enhance citizen mobility and improve connectivity among key urban centers such as Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, in addition to serving several major airports. The Director General of the National Railways Office (ONCF), Mohamed Rabie Khlie, noted that the Kenitra-Marrakech HSL will position Morocco among nations with the longest high-speed rail networks globally, spanning 630 km.
Khlie elaborated that this railway project aligns with Morocco’s ambitious infrastructural advancements under the leadership of the Sovereign, contributing to a significant transformation in the railway sector over the past two decades. The successful implementation of various railway projects, including the Al-Boraq train, underscores the socio-economic benefits realized through these developments.
The Al-Boraq train, Africa’s first high-speed rail service inaugurated in 2018, exemplifies Morocco’s commitment to sustainable and efficient transport solutions. The high-speed train, running on clean energy, plays a pivotal role in enhancing national economic integration, notably by efficiently connecting Casablanca and Tangier.
In anticipation of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the construction of the Kenitra-Marrakech HSL is set to proceed as scheduled. Khalid Khairane, Director of the High-Speed Line Projects Division at ONCF, assured that construction contracts have been awarded, with all related studies completed and significant land acquisitions finalized.
Further, Luciano Borges, Director of the Equipment Division at ONCF, announced plans to acquire 18 next-generation high-speed trains from French manufacturer ALSTOM. These trains, featuring cutting-edge technology and designed for high safety and comfort standards, will enhance the current fleet, thus expanding and modernizing Morocco’s rail capabilities.
The integration of existing industrial capacities within Morocco is expected to support the production and maintenance of these new trains, fostering industrial and social development while minimizing environmental impact through shortened supply chains.