World Bank Backs $350 Million Project to Transform Casablanca's Rail, Logistics Network
The financing aims to enhance commuter rail operations and enhance the strength of Morocco's national railway company, the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), preparing it for long-term expansion.
Morocco's urban population now reaches 60% and is expected to climb to 70% by 2050. Casablanca-Settat, the country's economic powerhouse, sits at the center of this urban boom.
Cities already drive much of Morocco's economy and job creation, but residents face serious challenges like limited transport options in suburban neighborhoods, worsening traffic congestion, and pollution. Addressing these problems is vital for the future livability and economic potential of Moroccan cities.
To meet this challenge, the Moroccan government has invested heavily in rail and public transit.
The World Bank-sponsored new program, Service Intra-métropolitain Rapproché (SIR), aims to upgrade train station amenities and boost the number of passenger trains operating. This reduces journey times between main points to 45 minutes or less, providing greater access to employment opportunities and basic services for more people.
The $350 million will be used to extend an electrified commuter rail network between central Casablanca and expanding suburbs such as Zenata, Mohammedia, Nouaceur, and Bouskoura.
The project includes the renovation of 73-kilometer stretches of existing railway lines, electric infrastructure, and signaling equipment that would be resilient against the impacts of climate. It will alleviate congestion on existing lines and increase freight transportation capacity to Casablanca's port, an important commercial center.
The project also aims to develop or upgrade 15 multimodal rail stations, with accessible design and development practices that promote transit riding. It aims to increase logistics activities, particularly in the Ain Sebaa industrial district, and enhance access to a new logistics park in Zenata.
Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, the World Bank's Maghreb and Malta Division Director, said the financing will enhance ONCF's management and operational abilities, helping the operator evolve into a publicly listed company focused on customer service. He described the project as a key step toward sustainable urban development and improved daily life for Casablanca residents.
By mid-2031, the program expects to improve transport access for more than half a million people. It will raise the number of jobs reachable by rail within 45 minutes by seven percent and improve access to essential services by a similar margin.
This investment marks a turning point in Casablanca's transport system, aiming to connect growing suburbs efficiently while reducing environmental impact and supporting economic growth across the region. Tags: morocco railwaysMorocco transportworld bankworld bank morocco
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches Housing Campaign for Moroccans Residing Abroad
Rabat — Morocco's Ministry of National Territory Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy has launched a special campaign for Moroccans living abroad as part of the 'Marhaba 2025' operation. To implement the initiative, the ministry specified that it launched a mobile outreach caravan on August 2 in Tangier. Held under the theme 'Urban Planning and Housing at the Service of Moroccans Worldwide,' the caravan is scheduled to land in 10 cities across Morocco's regions until August 31. Royal directives drive initiative The ministry noted that rolling out this national campaign program for 2025 is in line with King Mohammed VI's directives and his special care for Moroccan diaspora members. The campaign follows circular number 7049 that Minister Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri sent to Al Omran Group, urban agencies, and regional and provincial directorates under the ministry. The directive calls for active participation in bringing services closer to citizens and strengthening trust and communication for Moroccans living abroad. Strategic vision centers citizens Ministry officials pointed out that this initiative reflects a strategic vision that places citizens — both inside and outside the country — at the heart of the ministry's focus. The initiative is designed to provide field support and information that allows diaspora members to learn about the missions of the ministry and its programs aimed at providing decent housing, particularly the Direct Housing Support Program. Practical measures improve services The campaign includes several practical measures to improve reception quality and deliver effective public service. Not only did the ministry create reception and guidance spaces at all central and decentralized services and institutions under its authority, but it has also dedicated special windows inside commercial agencies of Al Omran companies and set up reception units at urban agencies and border crossings. Additionally, the ministry is set to organize open days to share insights on its programs, missions, and services, as well as providing detailed explanations about real estate offers related to housing or investment. Digital access and simplified procedures The ministry is adopting a digital aspect as part of its campaign, in order to facilitate diaspora members' access to urban planning data through digital platforms and direct communication. It also simplifies procedures and ensures special support for investment or housing files concerning this category of citizens. Tags: Housinghousing aid programhousing in MoroccoMoroccan MREs
Morocco World
3 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Continues to Strengthen Position as Key Fertilizer Supplier to India
Rabat – Morocco continues to strengthen its position as a fertilizer supplier for many countries, including India. Last week, India's Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, said Morocco is among the alternative suppliers for India in terms of water-soluble fertilizers. She told the Indian parliament that a 'significant quantity is important from China as well as alternative suppliers like Belgium, Egypt, Germany, and the USA.' Morocco's OCP Group is one of the leading and giant fertilizer suppliers. In 2023, the Moroccan fertilizer giant announced a deal with India to supply the country with 1.7 million metric tonnes of phosphate-based fertilizer. The agreement sought to provide India with up to 700,000 MT of Triple Super Phosphate. It is a phosphate-based fertilizer that has the highest phosphate content. The fertilizers can be used to meet the specific needs of plants and soils in India. The agreement also includes the delivery of 1,000,000 tons of diamonium phosphate to Indian farmers. In July, OCP Nutricrops celebrated surpassing five million tonnes of Tripe Super Phosphate fertilizer production. The fertilizer is also known as TSP, a key concentrated phosphate fertilizer that contains over 90% of phosphorus in a plant-available form. This makes it suitable for nutrient-deficient soils and smart fertilizer strategies. Morocco's phosphates and their derivatives' exports brought in $2 billion to the North African country in the first quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 18.2%. Tags: agricultural fertilizersphosphate fertilizers
Morocco World
3 hours ago
- Morocco World
A League of Their Own
The business of sports has often undergone profound change, particularly for the world's most popular sport—soccer. FIFA-sponsored tournaments like the recent Club World Cup are very popular and are watched by millions across the globe. During major matches, Morocco's cafés are filled with Wydad and Berkane jerseys, as well as Ryal Madrid and Chelsea kits. Many welcomed the news that Morocco's famed soccer club from Casablanca, Raja, has just inked a new partnership agreement with Marsa Maroc, the nation's marine port services provider and operator whose operating revenue was $500 million last year. The groundbreaking partnership takes place within the regulations that govern the transformation of athletic clubs into sports companies/enterprises. The partnersip brings a new day for sports ownership and management in Morocco just as international soccer, particularly in the developing world, becomes a prized commodity in search of marketing acumen and institutional discipline. FIFA's revenue in 2024, for example, was $483 million, 73% of which came from marketing and licensing efforts. Marsa Maroc, through its autonomous corporate social responsibility (CSR) entity, Ports4Impact, acquired a 60% stake in Raja SA (the team's parent association) with an investment of MAD 150 million ($15 million) spread over three years. Importantly, Ports4Impact will appoint the President of Raja SA, who will then oversee club activities related to the management, institutional development, and community engagement efforts. Squad governance and onfield decisionmaking will remain with Raja Association through its existing structures, personnel and procedures. The Raja Association will retain 40% by transferring assets worth MAD 100 million ($10 million), including brand rights and player contracts. Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), attended the signing ceremony in Bouskoura alongside Abdessalam Belkachour, President of the National Professional Football League, and representatives from both Raja and Marsa Maroc. Sports, Entertainment & Business Raja is now presented with the opportunity to be more than a legendary soccer franchise with 13 Botola Pro titles. Creating a macro narrative—local soccer culture, hometown culture, the brand of a place/people—takes work and talent. Més que un club (More than a club), in Catalan. In the United States, the popular sports and entertainment television network ESPN just struck a preliminary deal with the National Football League (NFL) in which ESPN will now have broadcasting access to some of the NFL's top programs and additional match coverage. In exchange, the NFL will reportedly receive an equity stake in ESPN, American news channels have reported. Sports teams scross the globe know the growing importance of marketing, branding, and contractual agreements as competition for talent grows and television broadcast rights expand. One example: The Dallas Cowboys–America's Team. This now famous nickname for the Cowboys was penned by an NFL employee who produced the iconic NFL highlight films in the 1970s. Decades later, he described the inspiration in an interview: 'I wanted to come up with a different twist on their team highlight film. I noticed then, and had noticed earlier, that wherever the Cowboys played, you saw people in the stands with Cowboys jerseys and hats and pennants. Plus, they were always the national game on television.'Fenway Sports Group owns the Boston Red Sox (MLB) as well as Premier League's Liverpool Football Club. Liberty Media Corporation owns a controlling interest in Formula 1 racing. A complex system for an on-demand world where bigger gets more media attention, earned and free. As Morocco's global soccer profile continues to rise, national clubs like Raja, Wydad, Berkane and FAR Rabat will find themselves playing in premier tournaments around the globe where best-in-class marketing, operations, and licensing capabilities may bolster onfield performance, as well as fan loyalty. This so-called 'sports, Inc.' phenomenon is a work in progress. In Europe, legal disputes are brewing as private (sometimes foreign) investment is now becoming a driver of elite player salaries. The allure of global tournaments is real, though: The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup tournament prize pool was an impressive $1 billion. Morocco is a fast-rising soccer powerhouse and Raja, in particular, is 'a global club in every sense of the word', Lekjaa noted in his remarks. 'The national football will not be well unless this trio [Raja, Wydad and AS FAR] is well.' Marsa Maroc pledged that if any profits or dividends are generated in the future, Ports4Impact will reinvest them entirely in the club to support both its sustainable development and success. Decision-making questions, perhaps, may arise over some issues: onfield team leadership selection process, foreign tournament selection process, competitive parity in Morocco's domestic Botola Pro (premier) league. These questions are common, too, in American professional sports. A new day dawns for a storied Moroccan soccer franchise. Onfield performance will now have a logistical, promotional and administrative mate as the international soccer community continues to mature—and to brand. Tags: African footballMoroccan football team
