Minister: High-speed rail project to revolutionize transportation system in Morocco

Morocco is advancing an ambitious rail investment program aimed at connecting the country’s northern and southern regions in line with King Mohammed VI’s royal vision, Transport and Logistics Minister Abdelssamad Kayouh said Tuesday.

Speaking during a parliamentary Q&A session, Kayouh said the ministry and the National Railways Office (ONCF) are implementing the King’s directive from his speech marking the 44th anniversary of the Green March, which called for linking Morocco’s north and south through modern rail infrastructure.

Among the key projects, detailed studies have been completed for the rail connection between Nador West Med Portand the national railway network, including the acquisition of the required land.

Kayouh highlighted several other projects under development, including rail extensions to new urban areas, such as connecting Tangier to Tetouan and linking Beni Mellal to the national network.

He also noted progress on the high-speed rail project launched by King Mohammed VI last April.

“This project will transform the concept and system of mobility in Morocco,” Kayouh said. “Its impact will go beyond rail transport to include travel to and from airports and highways.”

He added that feasibility studies for the Marrakech–Essaouira rail link were awarded to a Chinese consulting firm six months ago, while the final study for the Marrakech–Agadir high-speed connection has been completed. The ministry is now seeking financing, with testing of the high-speed network expected by 2029.

“Once completed, travel times will be dramatically reduced,” Kayouh said. “The Tangier–Rabat journey will take just one hour, Rabat to Mohammed V Airport half an hour, and Tangier to Marrakech two and a half hours instead of five — eliminating the need for domestic flights.”

The minister also announced plans to convert several cities’ train systems from thermal to electric power, including