Morocco is positioning itself as a driving force for innovative financing models to unlock large-scale railway development across Africa, as the second International Forum on “Investment and Financing Solutions for the Future of Railways in Africa” opened Wednesday in Rabat under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI.
The two-day gathering (October 14-15) brings together financial institutions, development banks, investors, and railway officials. Participants aim to move beyond diagnosis and design practical, bankable solutions that can transform continental ambitions into funded projects.
Speaking at the event, Mohamed Rabie Khlie, Director General of the National Office of Railways (ONCF), described the forum as a direct continuation of the Dakar Declaration of 2023.
Khlie highlighted the scale of the challenge, saying inadequate transport infrastructure costs Africa roughly 2% of annual economic growth and reduces productivity by up to 40%.
Rapid demographic growth, a large youth population, and intense urbanization, he said, make modern, sustainable mobility systems essential.
The Moroccan network now carries more than 55 million passengers a year, he said.
Looking ahead to 2030, ONCF is rolling out an investment program exceeding €10 billion. Key components include extending the high-speed line to Marrakech to create a 630-kilometer fast network, acquiring 660 new coaches and trains, and developing rapid urban rail systems in major agglomerations.
Traditional public funding alone is no longer sufficient, Khlie stressed. African countries need innovative, sustainable financing mechanisms tailored to their fiscal realities.