(Ecofin Agency) - Today, November 15, 2018, Morocco is inaugurating the first ever high-speed train in Africa. With this train, passengers can travel from Casablanca to Tangier in just 2hours and 10 minutes while 5 hours were needed for the same trip previously. The new infrastructure which cost $2.3 billion is to be inaugurated by King Mohamed VI and the French president Emmanuel Macron.

In the framework of the project for which France disbursed 51% of the funds, four new stations (Tangier-Ville, Rabat-Agdal, Casablanca, and Kénitra) have been built.

Commenting on the protests against these projects, authorities announced that the new line was aimed at providing a cutting-edge mode of transportation to the country at a cost relatively lower than that practised in other countries.

In that regard, the lower construction cost of the new high-speed train should help make ticket fees affordable. In addition, this line should boost economic activities in Morocco.

The inauguration initially planned to be held in 2015 was postponed because of delays due notably to longer than planned expropriation procedures.

According to the government, this new train falls within the framework of the Moroccan rail network modernization process. Let’s note that two other towns, Marrakech and Agadir namely, are to be linked by high-speed train in Morocco.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou