Railway ecosystem: Things are gathering pace

Mohamed Rabiî Khlie takes measured steps forward. This year’s international call for expressions of interest has borne fruit. About ten European and Asian manufacturers – the best in the world, to quote a source close to the matter – have responded positively. Today, ONCF is shifting gears, with the launch of a call for tenders for the acquisition of new trains and the development of the rail industry.

The aim is to purchase 168 trains. 150 of them will be mobilized for inter-city services, fast shuttle trains, and 18 will be deployed for high-speed line extensions, more specifically for the Kenitra-Marrakesh link. The purchase of so much rolling stock is considered a first in the annals of Morocco’s railroads. This large batch of rolling stock will be used to replace the existing fleet, which has reached the end of its service life, and enable regional connections in the form of fast shuttle trains. For the Office, the main goal of this major project is to offer citizens the best sustainable mobility solutions, in line with Morocco’s rapid development. The goal is also to help prepare for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. For its promoters, this transformational project aims to reinforce rail as the preferred choice for sustainable and inclusive mobility. Five years after the first Moroccan and African high-speed line went into operation, Al Boraq continues to confirm its success. For the Board, it is the prelude to new challenges, aimed at opening up territories and offering citizens faster mobility options.

To finance this gigantic investment, ONCF will have to raise 16 billion Dirhams (US 1.6 billion). The Director General of ONCF is stepping up initiatives to raise awareness among public authorities of the need to embark on this adventure. The Ministry of Economy and Finance is in favor of this operation. It will be necessary to convince other financial backers to mobilize the necessary funding. It should be pointed out that ONCF’s investment program for 2024 will be tripled to 4.771 billion Dirhams (US 477 billion), without taking into account the rail network extension projects mentioned in the financing agreements signed between ONCF and the Government. By way of clarification, the Office’s budget for 2023 did not exceed 1.586 billion Dirhams (USD 158 million).

As part of the new draft program contract between the Government and ONCF for the 2023-2030 period, the Office has planned a set of ambitious investment projects with the aim of continuing the dynamic modernization of the Moroccan rail network, it is said.

Mohamed CHAOUI