MOROCCAN National Railways (ONCF) has secured €202m in funding from German development bank KfW to modernise the railway network in Greater Casablanca.
The loan will improve access to employment and essential services by strengthening public transport in Casablanca, while enhancing capacity on ONCF’s network in the region.
This announcement comes after the World Bank approved a $US 350m loan in June, to support the Inter-Métropolitain Improvement Programme (SIR) which aims to upgrade suburban lines in Casablanca.
The project aims to upgrade around 73km of existing lines, including electrification and resignalling, from the centre of Casablanca to Zenata and Mohammedia to the east, and Nouaceur and Bouskoura to the south.
Both funding packages align with Morocco’s strategy to decarbonise urban public transport systems, with rail serving as a key driver for green transport initiatives. The country is pushing ahead with a number of rail projects, including high-speed lines, which it is aiming to complete ahead of co-hosting the Fifa World Cup football tournament with Spain and Portugal in 2030.
