As Morocco accelerates its infrastructure preparations ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the nation’s transport sector has secured a major financial boost. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has officially approved a €205 million financing package to support the Rail Infrastructure Development Support Project (PADIF), a critical initiative designed to expand and modernize the Kingdom’s railway network.
Transforming the Kenitra-Marrakech Corridor
The newly approved funds will primarily target the Kenitra–Marrakech railway corridor, which serves as the backbone of Morocco’s passenger and freight transport. The operation aims to enhance the corridor’s capacity and operational performance by extending the existing high-speed rail (HSR) line and upgrading conventional railway infrastructure along this strategic route. By streamlining travel between the country’s major economic and urban hubs, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel times and cut down on logistics costs.
“By combining the extension of the high-speed rail line with the modernisation of existing infrastructure, this operation will help accommodate growing passenger and freight traffic, facilitate trade flows, and reduce travel times,” stated Achraf Tarsim, Head of the African Development Bank Group’s Country Office in Morocco. “In the long term, it will strengthen Morocco’s logistics competitiveness and reinforce its role as a strategic hub linking Europe and Africa.”
A Sustainable Vision for National Mobility
Beyond the immediate economic and logistical benefits, the expansion aligns heavily with Morocco’s broader transition toward sustainable mobility. The project will facilitate a shift toward more environmentally friendly transport modes, supporting the government’s ambitious “Rail 2040 Plan” and its overarching New Development Model.
The AfDB financing will cover the acquisition of essential equipment to modernize the railway infrastructure, including the supply of new rails and track components for both conventional lines and the high-speed network. Critical upgrades will also target the Casablanca rail hub to ensure the network can sustainably handle the projected surge in traffic. Additionally, the project includes comprehensive management support, covering engineering supervision and the continuous monitoring of results and impacts.
Since 1978, the AfDB has mobilized nearly €15 billion to finance over 150 projects in Morocco. As the country positions itself as a premier destination for foreign direct investment and a pivotal gateway to the continent, this latest €205 million injection ensures that its physical infrastructure will match its growing regional and global ambitions.
