French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday welcomed the launch of Morocco’s Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail project,describing it as a milestone in French-Moroccan cooperation.
“Long live the friendship between Morocco and France!” Macron wrote on his official X and Instagram accounts,adding that “French-Moroccan cooperation is moving forward at great speed.”
The project was launched on Thursday in Rabat by King Mohammed VI. “This is the concrete result of the partnerships established between our companies during my state visit to Morocco last October,” the French Head of State emphasized.
The international media devoted large coverage to the project,which,they said,reflects the Sovereign’s “enlightened vision” and Morocco’s growing stature as a “continental leader” in infrastructure development.
Business Insider Africa wrote that the project consolidates Morocco’s position as a “continental leader in infrastructure development”,recalling that the kingdom is already home to Africa’s only operational high-speed rail system,the Al Boraq line between Tangier and Kenitra.
Through this project,“Morocco is doubling down on its rail ambitions with this new phase,setting itself apart as a case study in sustainable transport and regional integration”,the English-speaking outlet underlined.
More than a transportation upgrade — it’s a “strategic lever for national competitiveness”,as Morocco is leveraging its rail expansion to develop a homegrown industrial ecosystem with significant local content,Business Insider Africa noted.
Daily Finland wrote that this large-scale project reflects the Sovereign’s “enlightened vision” of improving the national rail service,and is in line with the Kingdom’s strategic orientations,in terms of sustainable development,particularly promoting low carbon footprint collective mobility solutions.
It also illustrates Morocco’s “firm determination” to carry on the development of the national rail network,so that it can fully play its role as the backbone of a sustainable and inclusive transport system,the daily said.
ECOFIN Agency underscored Morocco’s firm leadership on the continent,writing that the extension consolidates its position as the only African country with an operational high-speed rail network. The line forms part of a broader push for sustainable mobility and structured economic development,the agency added.
Beyond national ambitions,the project is seen as a technological showcase for other African nations seeking fast and eco-friendly transport solutions.
Specialist site ABC Bourse emphasized that Morocco continues to cement its unique status on the continent by expanding the Al Boraq network. The publication linked the new line to commitments made during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024,during which several rail-related agreements were signed.
It added that this French-Moroccan partnership illustrates a shared strategic vision around sustainable infrastructure,green mobility,and co-industrialization.
European news agencies,including Reuters,Agence France-Presse (AFP),and Spanish news agency EFE also covered the launch of the flagship project,pointing out that the HST project aligns with Morocco’s broader modernization drive and preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup,to be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco is accelerating infrastructure investments across key sectors including transport,hospitality,telecommunications,and airports,the news agencies noted,highlighting the reduction of travel time between Marrakech and Tangier and between Rabat and Casablanca’s main airport.
AFP also recalled that Alstom had secured the contract to supply 18 high-speed trains for the line and quoted French Junior Minister for Foreign Trade Laurent Saint-Martin as saying the contract marked “a new and complementary phase in the transfer of expertise between France and Morocco.”
Arab media outlets,including the London-based newspaper Al Arab,Bahraini daily Akhbar Al Khaleej,and Emirati news website Emarat News also hailed the HST project as a major milestone in Morocco’s infrastructure development,describing it as a “qualitative leap” in Morocco’s transportation system,and ongoing socio-economic transformation.
According to the publications,the project is part of a broader portfolio of initiatives,targeting inclusive and sustainable development across multiple sectors.
The new high-speed line is expected to revitalize commerce and business activity,generate employment,offer a reliable alternative to road transport,and reinforce Morocco’s status as a regional hub for smart and sustainable mobility.
The project is part of a wider strategy to connect the north and south of the Kingdom,and thus strengthen Morocco’s role as a strategic link between Europe and Africa via a forward-looking continental rail network.
Morocco is also planning a high-speed service between Fez and Marrakech,using conventional tracks from Fez to Kenitra and high-speed rail from Kenitra to Marrakech.
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