Morocco has officially launched construction of the Kenitra–Marrakech high-speed rail line, a major infrastructure project that will become the longest high-speed railway on the African continent once completed.
The initiative was inaugurated by King Mohammed VI at Rabat-Agdal Station, signaling the beginning of an ambitious 430-kilometer expansion of the existing Al Boraq high-speed network. The new rail line will connect the cities of Kenitra, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech.
According to the Moroccan National Railway Office (ONCF), the project is designed to accommodate trains traveling at speeds of up to 350 km/h, with operational speeds limited to 320 km/h.
The travel time between Tangier and Marrakech is expected to be reduced from more than seven hours to approximately two hours and 40 minutes.
The total estimated cost of the project is 53 billion Moroccan dirhams, or roughly $5.3 billion. Construction is expected to create around 300,000 jobs.
“This rail line represents a significant step forward in Morocco’s efforts to modernize its transportation infrastructure and promote sustainable mobility,” the ONCF said in a statement.
The Kenitra–Marrakech corridor is a key component of a larger $10.3 billion national railway expansion plan that aligns with Morocco’s infrastructure development goals ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country is set to co-host.
One of the technical highlights of the project includes the construction of a 3.3-kilometer tunnel beneath the capital city of Rabat, designed to minimize disruption to urban life and improve overall connectivity.
Testing on the new line is scheduled to begin in 2029, with full operations expected to commence by the end of that year.
Morocco’s Al Boraq line, which currently runs between Tangier and Kenitra, was inaugurated in 2018 and was the first high-speed rail service in Africa.
The extension to Marrakech is set to solidify the country’s leadership in rail infrastructure on the continent.
Transportation analysts say the project has the potential to significantly influence economic development, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance regional integration.
Also Read
Kenya’s $3.6 Billion Usahihi Expressway to Break Ground in 2026 – Inside the Mega Toll Road Project
The Drone Boom 2025: 5 Lesser-Known Stocks Set to Fly High