Rabat — The French government announced that it has granted a loan of €780 million to Morocco to purchase 18 high-speed Alstom trains.
The loan aims to contribute to the high-speed line extension to Marrakech, which will be the first of its kind connecting the renowned Moroccan city.
In a statement shared with Morocco World News (MWN), the French government said the funding is part of “the declaration on financial cooperation in the rail sector, signed on October 28, 2024” as part of Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Morocco, during which he and King Mohammed VI chaired a signing ceremony for a series of agreement to boost cooperation between Rabat and Paris.
French company Alstom will supply the 18 high-speed trains, including the Avelia Horizon model — double-decker trains with a capacity of up to 640 passengers.
The trains are capable of reaching speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour.
The French government pledged that the new trains will help reduce the carbon footprint of the journey, which aligns with Morocco’s sustainable mobility goals.
Alstom’s factories in France will produce the trains, which will be transported and then tested in Morocco. In Fez, the French company will produce electrical cabinets and cable harnesses in its factory, contributing to the development of Morocco’s rail ecosystem and boosting local rail expertise.
In the statement, French ambassador to Morocco Christophe Lecourtier expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral ties between the two countries, noting that the robust funding reflects the strong partnership between Rabat and Paris in rail transport.
He recalled the first cooperation agreement between the two countries, which produced the first high speed line in Morocco between Tangier and Kenitra.
The high-speed train, or TGV, transported nearly five million passengers last year.
“France and its companies will once again be by Morocco’s side for the ambitious extension of the line to Marrakech,” the French government concluded, noting that the project is also in line with Morocco’s development plans and preparation campaign for the 2030 World Cup.
Morocco and France have been determined to continue to boost bilateral ties at all levels, especially after Macron’s visit to Morocco last year.
The visit followed a milestone in the two counties’ diplomacy, when Paris’ announced its newfound position, recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
Beyond the French government, Morocco’s railway operator ONCF is expanding cooperation with several other operators and companies.
In February, Hyundai Rotem announced a deal with ONCF to supply double checker trains.
The agreement includes a contract of $1.5 billion that aims to contribute to the modernization of Morocco’s rail network.
