Morocco has obtained a $350 million loan from the World Bank to boost rail transport infrastructure in Greater Casablanca, aiming to ease urban mobility and reduce road congestion.
The investment supports the Close Intra-Metropolitan Service (SIR) program, which targets the electrification and signal upgrades of 73 kilometers of rail lines by 2031. These lines will connect central Casablanca with key suburban areas including Zenata, Mohammedia, Nouaceur, and Bouskoura.
SIR program
As part of the initiative, 15 multimodal stations will be constructed or renovated to ensure universal accessibility. The enhancements are designed to shorten commuting times, with projections indicating that over 560,000 residents will be able to reach workplaces and essential services within 45 minutes by the end of the decade.
The World Bank anticipates that the project will lead to a 7% increase in access to job hubs and a 7.3% boost in public service availability. With Morocco’s urban population expected to reach 70% by 2050, modern, efficient transport networks are becoming essential for sustainable urban development.
The program also aims to strengthen the operational and institutional capacity of Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF), particularly in governance, strategic planning, and service delivery. World Bank Maghreb and Malta Country Director Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye emphasized that the funding will help ONCF transition into a more modern, service-oriented rail operator. This latest loan builds on a previous $150 million World Bank investment in 2020, underlining the ongoing partnership between Morocco and the global lender in promoting sustainable urban mobility.