Morocco’s Al Boraq High-Speed Line Rides Growth Wave

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Morocco’s Al Boraq high-speed line is recording steady ridership and revenue gains several years after launch, strengthening its role as a national mobility backbone while still operating below its long-term potential.

Passenger Numbers Climb to New Highs

Publicly available figures show that Al Boraq, Africa’s first high-speed rail service, has moved from a niche offering to a core part of Morocco’s transport mix. The line, which connects Tangier with Casablanca via Kenitra and Rabat, has seen ridership rise from around 3 million passengers in 2019 to more than 5 million in 2023, according to Moroccan and international railway data compilations.

Reporting on 2024 performance indicates that the service crossed roughly 5.4 to 5.5 million passengers, marking a further mid single-digit percentage increase in just one year. Some French-language business outlets describe Al Boraq as one of the main contributors to overall passenger growth at the National Railways Office, with the high-speed segment now representing a growing share of total rail travelers in the country.

For 2025, specialist rail and business publications have cited Moroccan data suggesting that Al Boraq passenger volumes approached or slightly exceeded 5.6 million travelers, confirming a gradual upward trajectory rather than a one-off spike. This multi-year pattern points to both an expanding customer base and increasing familiarity with high-speed rail among domestic and international passengers.

The broader network context underlines how important the line has become. Recent figures discussed in financial and institutional reports show total ONCF passenger traffic surpassing the 50 million mark annually, with Al Boraq accounting for a significant portion of revenue despite representing a relatively small part of the physical network.

Revenue Growth Outpaces Ridership

Financial indicators suggest that Al Boraq’s commercial performance is rising even faster than its passenger count. Moroccan media referencing transport ministry data and corporate disclosures note that high-speed rail revenues have nearly doubled over a recent multi-year period, supported by higher demand, improved train utilization and a diversified fare structure.

Business press coverage in 2024 and 2025 reports that Al Boraq generates close to one third of total passenger revenue for ONCF, despite carrying a minority of overall passengers. This reflects a pricing model that positions the service between conventional rail and air travel, with premium fares for speed and comfort offset by promotional offers aimed at students, families and off-peak travelers.

Analysts following Morocco’s rail sector point out that rising high-speed income has helped strengthen ONCF’s operating results, supporting debt service on the original investment and providing internal financing capacity for further projects. At the same time, the relatively high share of revenue coming from a single corridor underscores the importance of keeping load factors strong and maintaining service quality.

Industry observers also highlight the energy dimension of the business model. Public information from ONCF and development banks describes a progressive shift toward renewable electricity for electrified lines, including the high-speed route, which reduces exposure to fossil-fuel price volatility and supports the financial case for rail versus highway transport.

Capacity, Pricing and Awareness Leave Room to Grow

Despite the positive trend, sector specialists see considerable headroom for additional growth along the Tangier–Casablanca axis. The line is designed for much higher annual demand than it currently handles, and published technical documentation suggests that train paths remain available during several off-peak periods.

Transport researchers and think tank commentary point to three main levers for further expansion: pricing, frequency and awareness. While many users praise the value for money, some domestic passengers continue to view high-speed tickets as expensive compared with conventional trains or shared road transport. Targeted promotional campaigns, loyalty schemes and better integration with regional and urban networks are frequently cited as ways to address this perception.

Awareness and travel habits also play a role. International travel media and user-generated content on social platforms increasingly showcase Al Boraq as a symbol of modern Morocco, but domestic tourism and business travel patterns are still adjusting to the shorter journey times. More coordinated marketing that links high-speed rail with coastal tourism hubs, conference venues and port infrastructure could help stimulate additional demand.

Infrastructure and rolling stock are another dimension. Publicly available material on upcoming train orders and station enhancements indicates that Morocco is preparing for higher volumes, with new high-capacity trainsets and station upgrades on future extensions likely to free existing assets for intensified service on the current route.

Strategic Role in National Mobility and Climate Policy

Beyond its commercial metrics, Al Boraq is increasingly framed as a cornerstone of Morocco’s long-term transport and climate policies. International institutions and rail associations describe the line as a demonstration project for high-speed rail on the African continent, showcasing how faster intercity connections can support port development, tourism and regional economic integration.

Moroccan strategy documents and project reports presented to lenders emphasize the environmental benefits of shifting travelers from cars, buses and short-haul flights to electrified rail. By significantly reducing travel times between key cities and aligning operations with the country’s renewable energy ambitions, Al Boraq is promoted as a low-carbon alternative that aligns with national climate commitments.

Experts note that the line also helps relieve capacity on conventional tracks, which can then carry more freight and regional passenger services. This complements major investments around Tangier Med port and logistics platforms, where improved rail connectivity is seen as essential for maintaining Morocco’s role in Euro-Mediterranean supply chains.

International comparisons made by rail organizations suggest that Morocco’s high-speed experience is increasingly studied by other emerging economies. The combination of phased construction, mixed financing and integration with existing lines provides a reference model for countries seeking to introduce high-speed services without overextending public budgets.

Planned Extensions Could Unlock New Demand

The high-speed network now under study or in development could significantly change the scale of Al Boraq’s market. Project summaries from rail bodies and infrastructure tenders publicized in recent years point to plans for extending high-speed tracks from Kenitra to Marrakech, eventually linking Casablanca with Morocco’s main tourist destinations further south.

Preliminary works, engineering contracts and land preparation along sections of the Kenitra–Marrakech corridor have been mentioned in Moroccan and international trade press, signaling that the expansion is moving from concept to implementation. Additional branches toward Agadir and connections to other regional centers appear in long-term planning maps, although timelines and funding structures remain under discussion.

Analysts argue that once Marrakech and potentially Agadir are brought within two to three hours of Tangier and the northern ports, the addressable market for high-speed services could expand dramatically. This would create more through-traffic on the existing Tangier–Casablanca section, raising load factors and enhancing the overall economic justification for the initial investment.

For now, the existing Al Boraq line continues to build its passenger base step by step. The latest published figures confirm an upward trajectory in both ridership and revenue, while the gap between current usage and installed capacity suggests that Morocco’s flagship high-speed corridor still has significant room to grow.