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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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Morocco is launching a $9.6 billion investment plan to reform its railway infrastructure using high-speed rail.
Announced by Abdessamad Kayouh, the country's minister of transport and logistics, the Rail Investment Plan aims to boost connectivity, economic growth and sustainability in the African nation.
Newsweek contacted Morocco's Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Logistics for more information via email.
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Why It Matters
The project is expected to significantly boost the national economy, enhance regional trade and expand access to key urban areas. With plans to connect 87 percent of Morocco's population and major economic centers by 2040, the initiative has the potential to reshape the country's logistics and tourism sectors while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Morocco is locked in a drive to develop its logistics sector as it prepares to co-host games at the 2030 soccer World Cup, along with Spain and Portugal.
What To Know
Kayouh revealed the plan during a presentation to the Chamber of Representatives in the capital Rabat on Tuesday. The meeting, which was part of the Infrastructure, Energy, Mining, Environment, and Sustainable Development Commission, laid out ambitious goals for 2030 and beyond.
Key components of the plan include building a high-speed rail connecting the port city of Kenitra in northwestern Morocco to Marrakech, purchasing 18 high-speed trains and 150 multi-service trains, and upgrading a network of 40 railway stations across the country.
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The broader rail development strategy aims to improve nationwide connectivity by 2040. It plans to increase the number of cities served by rail from 23 to 43 and boost coverage from 51 percent of the population to 87 percent.
Notably, the plan includes linking 12 international airports and 12 ports to the rail network, compared with the current coverage of just one airport and six ports.
Economic projections estimate that 300,000 jobs will be created during its implementation phase.
In August last year, the nation announced that it would build 1,300 kilometers of high-speed rail track by 2040, with Tuesday's announcement being the first major structured step toward that goal.
What People Are Saying
Abdessamad Kayouh, Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics,told the kingdom's parliament: "Morocco is pursuing plans to pump heavy investments into the rail infrastructure to accommodate the rapid increase in passengers.
"These investments are part of a master plan stretching until 2040 for the development of the national rail network, including linking more cities."
What Happens Next
The country's railway operator, ONCF, predicts that the network will serve 57 million passengers and generate $500 million in revenue by 2025.
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