The World Bank has approved a $350 million financing package for the Greater Casablanca Mobility and Logistics Hub. This initiative aims to enhance access to employment opportunities and essential services by expanding passenger railway services in the Greater Casablanca area, a central part of Morocco's rail network. The program also seeks to strengthen the planning and financial capabilities of Morocco's national railway operator, the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), in managing and expanding railway infrastructure.
Morocco is undergoing rapid urbanization, with 60 percent of its population living in cities—a figure projected to rise to 70 percent by 2050. The growth, particularly in the economically significant Casablanca-Settat region, presents considerable development opportunities. Cities play a vital role in Morocco's GDP and serve as hubs for investment and employment. Addressing challenges such as limited mobility for suburban residents, traffic congestion, and vehicle-related pollution will further enable Moroccan cities to thrive.
To tackle these issues, Morocco is enhancing rail transport and public transportation infrastructure to improve accessibility while reducing environmental impacts. This aligns with national goals for sustainable urban transport solutions. In Greater Casablanca, the "Service Intra-métropolitain Rapproché" (SIR) program is transforming railway services by upgrading train stations and increasing high-frequency passenger rail transport. This initiative ensures that key locations are accessible within 45 minutes, thereby expanding opportunities for residents and businesses while promoting connectivity and reducing environmental impacts.
The World Bank's new financing will support SIR in establishing an electrified passenger rail service connecting urban centers with suburban areas like Zenata, Mohammedia, Nouaceur, and Bouskoura. The program will use a 73-kilometer brownfield right-of-way to expand track capacity and enhance existing rail infrastructure with improved electrical systems and signaling focused on climate resilience. It aims to reduce congestion on current lines and boost freight capacity at the port of Casablanca. Additionally, it plans to construct or upgrade 15 multimodal train stations using Transit-Oriented Development strategies with universal accessibility features while improving logistics facilities around Greater Casablanca.
"The World Bank's support will strengthen the governance and operational capacity of ONCF," said Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, Division Director for the Maghreb and Malta at the World Bank. "This strategic investment underscores a commitment to sustainable development and improved quality of life for all residents of Greater Casablanca."
By June 2031, the SIR program is expected to provide substantial benefits including improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure for over 560,000 residents. It will enhance job accessibility with a seven percent increase in workplace locations reachable by passenger rail services within 45 minutes. It will also improve access to critical services with a 7.3 percent increase in service locations accessible within the same travel time using passenger rail services.