Moroccan National Railways Office (ONCF) is set to invest 16 billion Moroccan dirhams ($1.56 billion) in a development plan, initiating a tender for one hundred sixty-eight trains to address the rising demand for train travel and modernize the aging fleet. The investment aims to establish a Moroccan rail industry system, creating job opportunities and boosting the country's industrial sector. ONCF's commitment aligns with its efforts to enhance Morocco's railway industry, emphasizing economic and social impacts through the establishment of a modernized rail network. The project, announced last year, garnered ten expressions of interest from international players in the railway industry. ONCF is progressing by launching the bidding process, focusing on train acquisition and establishing a joint venture for ongoing maintenance services.
In November 2022, ONCF secured a $200 million loan agreement with the European Investment Bank, representing 80 percent of a $268 million loan. The remaining $68 million is slated for signing in 2023, contributing to the rehabilitation and upgrading of Morocco's railway network under the Green Partnership initiative.