The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, meeting Wednesday in Abidjan, approved €205 million in funding for Morocco to support the implementation of the Railway Infrastructure Development Support Project (PADIF).
The operation is likely to enhance the capacity and operational performance of the Kenitra-Marrakech railway corridor, which carries a significant share of the country’s passenger and freight traffic.
According to an AfDB press release, funding will support the extension of Morocco’s high speed rail line while strengthening the existing railway infrastructure along this strategic corridor.
By improving traffic flow between the Kingdom’s major economic and urban centers, the project is expected to promote more sustainable mobility and improve territorial connectivity.
Beyond its impact on transport, the project will also encourage the shift toward more environmentally friendly modes of transportation while generating substantial economic benefits through shorter travel times and lower logistics costs.
“By combining the extension of the high-speed rail line with upgrading existing infrastructure, this operation will support the expected increase in passenger and freight traffic, facilitate trade flows and reduce journey duration. Ultimately, it will bolster Morocco’s logistics competitiveness and reinforce its standing as a strategic hub linking Europe and Africa,” said Achraf Tarsim, the AfDB Group’s Country Manager for Morocco, as quoted in the press release.
The project includes the procurement of equipment to modernize railway infrastructure along the Kenitra-Marrakech corridor and around Casablanca’s rail hub. It notably provides for the supply of new rails and track switches for both the conventional rail network and the high-speed line, increasing the corridor’s capacity and improving its long-term operational performance.
ADIF also includes a project management support component covering project ownership, engineering supervision, and the monitoring and evaluation of results and impacts to ensure effective implementation.
By supporting the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure, the operation is fully aligned with the AfDB Group’s High 5 strategic priorities and its 2024-2029 Country Strategy Paper for Morocco. It also supports the objectives of Morocco’s New Development Model and the Rail 2040 plan, which aims to modernize the national railway network.
Since 1978, the AfDB Group has mobilized nearly €15 billion to finance more than 150 projects and programs in Morocco. Its actions span strategic sectors including transport, social protection, water and sanitation, energy, agriculture, governance and the financial sector.
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