Morocco’s national rail operator (ONCF) expects to carry nearly 56 million passengers by the end of 2025, as the country accelerates investment in high-speed and regional rail networks, ONCF Director General Mohamed Rabie Khlie said.
Speaking at the fourth Rail Industry Summit Morocco, held Dec. 9-10 at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Center in El Jadida, Khlie said passenger traffic has rebounded strongly since the pandemic, climbing from 38.5 million in 2019 to more than 55 million in 2024.
The Al Boraq high-speed line alone carried 5.5 million travelers last year, up from 3 million before COVID-19, he added.
The summit brought together more than 250 companies from 20 countries and over 1,000 participants, underscoring Morocco’s ambition to become a continental rail hub.
“Our vision is to position Morocco as a leader in rail innovation and industrial sovereignty,” Khlie said.
ONCF plans to invest 96 billion dirhams ($9.5 billion) by 2030, including 53 billion dirhams to extend the high-speed line from Kenitra to Marrakech and 29 billion dirhams to acquire 168 new trains for both high-speed and conventional services.
The roadmap also includes upgrades to the existing network and development of regional commuter rail systems.
Morocco already operates Africa’s first high-speed rail line and has the most extensive network in the Maghreb.
The new projects will add a 430-kilometer high-speed corridor between Kenitra and Marrakech, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional transport leader.
Beyond infrastructure, Khlie said Morocco aims to build a domestic rail manufacturing base through industrial offset agreements with global suppliers such as Alstom, Siemens Mobility, Hyundai Rotem, CAF and Wabtec. “We want to create a Moroccan rail industry capable of serving Africa and beyond,” he said.
