Paris – 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.”
“His Majesty King Mohammed VI launched the new high-speed rail line between Kenitra and Marrakech. This is the concrete fruit of partnerships established between our companies during my state visit to Morocco last October,” the French Head of State emphasized.
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,” Macron said.
The 430-kilometer rail line will connect the cities of Kenitra, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, with additional links to Rabat and Casablanca airports. It is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to modernize its national rail infrastructure and promote low-carbon transport solutions.
Once operational, the line will cut travel time between Tangier and Marrakech to 2 hours and 40 minutes — more than two hours faster than the current journey. The route will also reduce the Tangier-Casablanca trip to 1 hour and 40 minutes and Tangier-Rabat to 1 hour. Rabat will be connected to Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca in just 35 minutes, including a stop at the new Benslimane stadium.
A high-speed service between Fez and Marrakech is also planned, with travel time estimated at 3 hours and 40 minutes, using conventional tracks from Fez to Kenitra and high-speed rail from there to Marrakech.
The project draws on international expertise and suppliers, including France’s Alstom for high-speed trains, Spain’s CAF for intercity rolling stock, and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem for regional trains.
