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Morocco Strikes €405M Deal with African Development Bank to Supercharge High-Speed Rail and Future Skills
Morocco and the African Development Bank (BAD) have sealed two landmark financing agreements worth a combined €405 million to extend the high-speed rail network and revolutionise vocational training. Signed in Rabat on September 17, 2026, the deals underscore a shared vision to boost employment, modernise infrastructure, and position Morocco as a hub for sustainable growth and human capital development in Africa.
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Morocco and BAD Launch €405M Partnership for Rail Expansion and Skills Transformation
The Moroccan government and the African Development Bank formalised two financing agreements on September 17, 2026 in Rabat, mobilising a total of €405 million to strengthen human capital and upgrade the Kingdom's railway infrastructure.
The signing ceremony brought together key officials: BAD Country Head for Morocco Achraf Hassan Tarsim, Minister of Economic Inclusion and Employment Younes Sekkouri, Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa, and ONCF Director General Mohamed Rabie Khlie.
€205M to Extend the High-Speed Rail Corridor
The first loan agreement, worth €205 million, will fund the Railway Infrastructure Development Support Project (PADIF). It targets the expansion of the Kenitra–Marrakech high-speed rail line and the reinforcement of existing rail infrastructure along this strategic corridor. The project aims to improve connectivity between major economic hubs, promote sustainable mobility, and enhance Morocco's logistical competitiveness.
€200M for the 'Cap Compétences 2030' Programme
The second agreement, valued at €200 million, will finance the 'Cap Compétences 2030' initiative. This results-driven programme seeks to upgrade the relevance, quality, and diversity of vocational training through digitalisation, large-scale apprenticeship schemes, and stronger job-insertion mechanisms. It is designed to improve employment outcomes for young people and women.
Long-Term Partnership for Morocco's Development
Both operations align with Morocco's national priorities and the BAD's 'Four Cardinal Points' strategic vision. The pan-African institution has invested over €15 billion since 1978 in more than 150 projects across sectors including human development, water, agriculture, energy, and transport infrastructure, solidifying its role as a long-standing partner of Morocco's growth journey.