Morocco is preparing a high-speed rail line from Marrakech to Agadir, with a separate branch to Essaouira. A decree dated September 1, 2026 declared both projects of public utility, and the government’s 2026-2031 program places them in the 2030-2035 investment cycle.
Key facts on the Marrakech-Agadir high-speed line
- Decree No. 2.26.605 was published in the Official Gazette on September 7, 2026.
- It covers the Marrakech-Agadir and Chichaoua-Essaouira lines, crossing the Marrakech-Safi and Souss-Massa regions.
- The Marrakech-Agadir link is estimated at close to MAD 55 billion (about $5.5 billion), according to the transport minister in May 2026.
- Reports describe a line of about 240 km, designed for up to 320 km/h, with a trip of roughly one hour.
- No official completion date has been announced.
Route: crossing the High Atlas
The main engineering challenge is the High Atlas. Nearly 70% of the planned structures are expected to be bridges and tunnels, which helps explain the high cost. Essaouira would not sit on the Agadir line: it is planned to get its own connection from a junction near Chichaoua, designed for up to 200 km/h under the Plan Rail Maroc 2040.
What comes first: Kenitra-Marrakech
The extension of the Al Boraq network south from Kenitra to Marrakech comes first. That line was about 30% complete as of May 2026, with service planned for September 2029. The 2024-2030 investment program, worth MAD 134 billion (about $13.4 billion), also covers regional RER services in five regions, electrification of the Fes-Oujda line and the rail link to the Nador West Med port.
The second cycle, 2030-2035, adds the Agadir line, the rehabilitation of Casablanca-Khouribga-Oued Zem, a new Oued Zem-Beni Mellal line, and the doubling of the 140-km Benguerir-Safi line.
Why it matters for travellers
Today, the trip from Marrakech to Agadir or Essaouira is made by road. A fast rail link would tie the Atlantic coast to the Al Boraq network and could make day trips easier. Our guides to one day in Agadir and one day in Essaouira show what visitors can already see in each city. The plans also fit the wider push on tourism, with 15.7 million arrivals by September 2026.
Financing is still open: the ministry and the national railway operator ONCF are seeking international partners, and no agreement has been signed. Timelines may therefore change as studies and land procedures move forward.
Sources: Morocco World News, Le Matin, Wikipedia
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