Morocco has launched construction of Africa’s longest high-speed rail line between Kenitra and Marrakech, cutting journey times and boosting economic growth ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Construction of the Kenitra–Marrakech high-speed rail line, marks a major milestone in the country’s ambitious infrastructure development. Once completed, it will become Africa’s longest high-speed railway, dramatically reducing travel times and boosting economic growth.
The project was inaugurated by King Mohammed VI at Rabat-Agdal Station, launching the 430-kilometer extension of the existing Al Boraq high-speed network. The new rail link will connect Kenitra, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, significantly improving regional connectivity.
The Moroccan National Railway Office (ONCF) has designed the new line to accommodate trains traveling at speeds of up to 350 km/h, with operational speeds capped at 320 km/h. Once fully operational, journey times between Tangier and Marrakech will be cut from over seven hours to just two hours and 40 minutes -revolutionising domestic travel.
With a budget of 53 billion Moroccan dirhams ($5.3 billion), the project is expected to create around 300,000 jobs, reinforcing its role in Morocco’s economic expansion and sustainable mobility initiatives.
Strategic importance
This major infrastructure investment is part of a $10.3 billion railway expansion aligned with Morocco’s preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host. A key technical highlight includes the construction of a 3.3-kilometer tunnel beneath Rabat, designed to **preserve urban continuity while enhancing rail efficiency.
Scheduled for testing in 2029, the Kenitra–Marrakech line is set to become a cornerstone of African transport modernization, strengthening Morocco’s position as a leader in advanced railway technology.