France will lend Morocco €781m (R15.54bn) to finance the purchase of 18 high-speed trains made by Alstom, the French embassy in Rabat said on Friday last week.
The trains are part of a plan to extend the high-speed rail network from Kenitra on the western coast to Marrakech before the 2030 World Cup that Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Alstom will supply Moroccan state-owned rail operator ONCF, with Avelia Horizon double-decker trains that can carry 640 passengers with a speed of 320km/h, the embassy said in a statement.
ONCF also aims to expand its network to double the number of cities it serves to 43, or 87% of the Moroccan population, by 2040.
In February, ONCF said it will also buy 150 trains under concessional loans from Spain and South Korea as it expands urban, intercity and high-speed rail networks.
South Korea's Hyundai Rotem will supply 110 urban trains worth $1.5bn (R27.39bn), while Spain's CAF will build 40 intercity trains for $813m R14.84bn).
The deals include investments in the country's nascent rail industry, ONCF said last month.
French loan to help Morocco buy 18 fast trains ahead of 2030 World Cup
Image: 123RF/Denys Bilytskyi
France will lend Morocco €781m (R15.54bn) to finance the purchase of 18 high-speed trains made by Alstom, the French embassy in Rabat said on Friday last week.
The trains are part of a plan to extend the high-speed rail network from Kenitra on the western coast to Marrakech before the 2030 World Cup that Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Alstom will supply Moroccan state-owned rail operator ONCF, with Avelia Horizon double-decker trains that can carry 640 passengers with a speed of 320km/h, the embassy said in a statement.
ONCF also aims to expand its network to double the number of cities it serves to 43, or 87% of the Moroccan population, by 2040.
In February, ONCF said it will also buy 150 trains under concessional loans from Spain and South Korea as it expands urban, intercity and high-speed rail networks.
South Korea's Hyundai Rotem will supply 110 urban trains worth $1.5bn (R27.39bn), while Spain's CAF will build 40 intercity trains for $813m R14.84bn).
The deals include investments in the country's nascent rail industry, ONCF said last month.
READ MORE:
One Transnet train that ain’t got the blues
Bullet train back on track to help grow KZN economy: premier Thami Ntuli
Maroc Telecom appoints former finance minister as chair
Morocco foils attacks by cell loyal to Islamic State
Morocco receives 17.4-million tourists in 2024, up 20% on 2023
China, Tanzania, Zambia sign initial agreement on key railway project
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
News and promos in your inbox
subscribeMost read
Latest Videos