Morocco Revamps Highways Ahead of FIFA 2030 World Cup

Rabat — Morocco’s transportation infrastructure seems to be on track to meet international standards. The country’s highways now extend over approximately 2,177 km, according to Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka.

The minister made the statements during Monday’s oral questioning at the Chamber of Representatives in Rabat.

In response to parliamentary members’ questions on road infrastructure in Morocco, Baraka outlined major ongoing projects in Morocco.

In detail, the minister referred to the highway connecting Tiznit to Dakhla and another linking Fez to Taounate via National Road N8, as well as a connection between Nador West Med port and the cities of Nador, Driouch, and Kassita.

He also mentioned the Tetouan-Chefchaouen expressway via National Road N2, the Marrakech-Safi and Marrakech-Kelaa Sraghna routes, and a feasibility study for an expressway in the Draa-Tafilalet region.

Citing that highways improve the quality of transportation services while ensuring users’ safety, Baraka expressed his department’s commitment to completing these infrastructure projects quickly.

The official also talked about the major road infrastructure’s transformation in Morocco, including widening the national highway network, modernizing regional and provincial road networks, and implementing structural projects that align with principles of spatial equity.

As the North African country aims to extend its national highway network by 2030, in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the government is working closely with Morocco’s National Highway Company (ADM) to develop a forward-looking vision for infrastructure development. Morocco’s highway network currently stands at 1,800 km.

Among flagship projects led by the ministry through ADM, Baraka mentioned tripling highways on the Casablanca-Berrechid axis and the Casablanca bypass, building the 30 km Tit Mellil-Berrechid highway, and developing the 59 km continental highway between Rabat and Casablanca, scheduled for completion by 2029.

The minister also cited the accelerated work on the 104 km highway connecting Guercif to Nador, which is set to link Nador West Med port to the national highway network with an investment of MAD 7.9 billion (~ $790 million).

In preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Baraka explained that his department has coordinated with partners to develop a plan for upgrading road connections serving major cities and peripheral towns that will benefit from this event. Thirty cities will see road section rehabilitation.

Regarding maintenance and preservation of the road network, the minister stated that nearly MAD 3 billion (~ $300 million), which is about 46% of the road budget, is allocated annually for maintaining deteriorated roads, rehabilitating at-risk structures, and strengthening bridges to accommodate increasing road traffic.

Morocco has already unveiled ambitious plans to invest MAD 12.5 billion (~ $1.25 billion) in strategic highway infrastructure projects ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2030.