Générale Costruzioni Ferroviarie (GCF) has been awarded two key contracts, valued at approximately €200 million, as part of Morocco’s ambitious rail modernisation project. The contracts focus on extending the high-speed line from Kenitra to Marrakech and upgrading existing conventional lines to enhance the efficiency of the country’s transport network.
High-Speed Line Extension: Lot 2 LGV Kenitra–Marrakech
GCF, leading a consortium with three of its subsidiaries (Transalp Renouvellement, GCF Elettriche, and GCFMA), has secured Lot 2, covering the southern section from Sidi El Aidi to Marrakech. The €140 million project involves laying 200 km of track and constructing the contact line.
Two construction site bases, covering a total of 165 hectares, will be established in Sidi El Aidi and Benguerir. The Benguerir base, spanning 1,000,000 m², will house a sleeper manufacturing plant and a new electric rail welding plant, designed and built by GCF and transferable to ONCF for future high-speed expansions, including a potential extension to Agadir. Rails produced in Italy will be transported to Benguerir, where they will be welded into 324-metre sections before being transported to the worksite and laid on the track.
Modernisation of Existing Conventional Lines: Lot 4 TVE Sidi El Aidi–Marrakech
GCF also secured Lot 4, which focuses on upgrading the existing double-track line between Sidi El Aidi and Marrakech. The €55 million project includes civil works, railway superstructure upgrades, and the construction of a new contact line.
The project will improve operational efficiency along this critical route, covering six existing stations (Sidi El Aidi, Setat, Benguerir, Sidi Boutmane, Palmerale–Sidi Ghanem, and Gueliz) and introducing two new stations (Ville Verte and Stade de Marrakech). Additional works include platform enhancements, footpath installations, hydraulic works, and concrete boundary walls to ensure operational readiness for high-speed services.
Strategic Impact on Morocco’s Rail Sector
Both projects are expected to strengthen Morocco’s transport infrastructure in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The upgrades will facilitate improved passenger and freight services, including the iconic “phosphate train” that continuously shuttles between Khouribga and the port of Safi.
GCF’s continued involvement in Morocco underscores its decade-long contribution to the modernisation of the country’s railway network and its role in supporting Morocco’s high-speed rail ambitions.
Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie Elettriche S.p.A. (GCFE) made the following announcement on 23 March 2025:
We are extremely pleased to announce a new important award for our Company which, together with GCF Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie, the leading agent, has been awarded the contract for the development of the Kenitra-Marrakech High Speed line for the ONCF, Office National des Chemins de Fer.
ONCF, the national railway operator in Morocco, has put two lots out to tender for the construction of the “Ligne à Grande Vitesse” (LGV) Kenitra-Marrakech, a natural extension of the Tangier-Kenitra, the first high-speed line on the African continent, inaugurated in 2018.
The consortium led by GCF with three companies from its Group (Transalp Renouvellement, GCFE and GCFMA) was awarded Lot 2, relating to the southern section Sidi El Aidi – Marrakech , for a value of €140 million.
The project consists of the construction of approximately 200 km of AV line 2×25 kV ca, double track on which trains will travel at a speed of up to 320 km/h. The works must be completed by 2030 when Morocco, together with Spain and Portugal, will host the football World Cup.
GCFE will be the partner responsible for the executive design, procurement and testing of the contact line systems.
“We are extremely proud to participate in this important contract with our parent company GCF, which has been present in Morocco for a dozen years now, and contribute to the strengthening of the local railway infrastructure and the overall development of the country. This result represents a significant recognition of our experience and expertise in the sector and that of our partners,” commented Giuseppe Ghilardi, CEO of the Company.
