Morocco’s ambitious high-speed rail network is gaining fresh momentum as the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council formally approved its financial participation in the long-anticipated Marrakech–Kenitra line.
This landmark decision signals a transformative phase for the country’s transport infrastructure and regional development strategy.
The new line, an extension of the successful Tangier–Kenitra corridor, is designed to connect Morocco’s key economic and administrative hubs—Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra, and Marrakech—with a faster, more sustainable mode of travel.
Unlike previous state-led initiatives, this project features a broad coalition of stakeholders, including regional councils from Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kenitra, and Marrakech-Safi, alongside leading financial institutions such as Attijariwafa Bank, Banque Populaire, CDG, Bank of Africa, and Crédit du Maroc.
This public-private partnership marks a significant shift in Morocco’s infrastructure approach.
The collective financing model underscores a shared commitment to modern mobility and environmental sustainability, promoting rail as a cleaner alternative to road and air travel.
Once completed, the line is expected to dramatically reduce journey times and stimulate economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between the regions it serves.
The approval comes as part of a broader suite of regional development initiatives endorsed during the Casablanca-Settat council’s July session, chaired by Abdellatif Maâzouz and Wali Mohamed Mhidia.
These include plans to address water scarcity through new desalination pipelines from Casablanca and Safi, the creation of advanced waste treatment facilities, and the rehabilitation of uncontrolled landfills as part of a comprehensive 2025–2034 waste management program.
Additionally, a unique agreement was signed to establish a centralized marketing platform for agricultural and fishery products in the Berrechid province, aimed at boosting local economies and streamlining distribution networks.
With financial backing now secured, the Marrakech–Kenitra high-speed rail project is transitioning from blueprint to reality.
The initiative reflects Morocco’s broader vision of integrated development—one that leverages strategic infrastructure to enhance connectivity, promote sustainable growth, and reshape the socio-economic landscape across multiple regions.
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