Infrastructure Morocco to borrow for World Cup rail and airport projects By Nadim Kawach April 22, 2025, 10:33 AM Unsplash/ Thales Botelho de Sousa Quartier Habous, Casablanca. A rail project will link the city to Marrakesh Loans for $3bn World Cup projects Co-hosting event in 2030 New airport and rail links Morocco is planning to seek loans to fund multi-billion dollar rail and airport projects as it prepares to co-host the Fifa World Cup in 2030, according to a minister. The projects include a high speed train network linking the commercial capital of Casablanca on the Atlantic with Marrakesh and a new civilian airport in Casablanca, the transport minister told Morocco’s parliament on Monday. Abdul Samad Qayuh, the minister, said that the projects would cost MD28 billion ($3 billion). Earlier this month, the north African kingdom agreed a two-year flexible credit line of about US$ 4.5 billion designed for crisis prevention with the International Monetary Fund. Separately, Morocco plans to issue an expression of interest for a liquefied natural gas terminal near Nador on the Mediterranean, Leila Benali, the energy minister, said on Monday. In comments published on Facebook on Tuesday, Qayuh also revealed a plan to expand the airports in the capital Rabat, Fez and other cities. Qayuh said the new airport and the existing facility in Casablanca will have a capacity of 40 million passengers per year, lifting the country’s total capacity to more than 80 million in 2030. He also said that a study for a new rail network linking Marrakesh with Agadir on the Atlantic coast and other towns would be completed within three months. “The study will determine the exact cost of this strategic much-awaited project,” the minister said. “Afterwards, we will start looking for finance sources inside and outside Morocco. As for the fast-train network linking Casablanca with Marrakesh, we expect the project to be completed in 2029.” Morocco raises $2.2bn to fund World Cup projects Gulf nations gain ground in sport soft power ranking IMF loans Morocco $4.5bn to support economy Morocco has embarked on a massive construction drive to prepare for the World Cup, including rail, roads, airports and other infrastructure. A new stadium intended to be the largest in the world with a capacity of more than 115,000 spectators is also planned outside Casablanca. Morocco is hosting the competition along with Spain and Portugal. The transport ministry said earlier this year that the projects cover nearly 35 cities and investment could exceed $34 billion over the next five years. In February Morocco announced that it would buy 168 trains from France, Spain and South Korea for nearly $2.9 billion. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
