Morocco is set to strengthen its highway infrastructure with an ambitious investment plan for 2025-2032. The program, backed by a 12.5 billion Moroccan dirham (MAD) budget, includes three key projects: the Rabat-Casablanca Continental Highway, the Tit Mellil-Berrechid Highway, and the redesign of the Ain Harrouda and Sidi Maarouf interchanges.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, in Rabat, key officials signed two agreements to kick off this initiative. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate for Budget, Abdellatif Zaghnoun, Director General of the National Agency for Strategic State Holdings Management, Mohammed Cherkaoui Eddeqaqi, Director General of the National Highways Company of Morocco (ADM), and Khalid Safir, Director General of the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG), formalized a 2025-2032 agreement between the state and ADM. This deal outlines the investment program for these strategic highway projects. A second financing agreement was also signed to cover land expropriation costs for the Rabat-Casablanca Continental Highway.
Strategic Projects and Goals
The 12.5 billion MAD investment, spanning 2025-2032, targets three critical projects:
- Rabat-Casablanca Continental Highway: A 60-km route connecting Rabat’s bypass highway (from the Ain Atiq junction) to Casablanca’s bypass (at Tit Mellil), with a budget of 6.5 billion MAD.
- Tit Mellil-Berrechid Highway: Enhancing regional connectivity.
- Ain Harrouda and Sidi Maarouf Interchange Upgrades: Improving traffic flow in key Casablanca hubs.
These projects aim to improve access to the Grand Stadium of Casablanca ahead of Morocco hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, ease traffic on the busy Rabat-Casablanca corridor, and boost connectivity in the Casablanca region.
Innovative Funding Approach
To fund this program, 16 billion MAD will be mobilized through a sustainable and innovative strategy. This approach ensures the financial stability of ADM while minimizing reliance on state budget funds. Additionally, a separate financing deal worth 1.2 billion MAD was signed between ADM, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Equipment and Water, CDG, and CDG Capital. This will compensate landowners affected by the expropriation process for the Rabat-Casablanca Continental Highway, a crucial step to start construction.
State and ADM Partnership
The agreement involves the Moroccan state—represented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Equipment and Water, and the National Agency for Strategic State Holdings Management—and ADM. It reflects a shared commitment to modernize infrastructure while preparing for major global events like the 2030 World Cup.
Progress and Next Steps
Alongside the expropriation process, ADM is moving quickly to finalize construction contracts for various project segments. The Rabat-Casablanca Continental Highway alone, with its 6.5 billion MAD budget, is a cornerstone of this effort, promising to streamline travel between Morocco’s political and economic hubs.
This investment marks a significant step in Morocco’s infrastructure development, blending economic growth with strategic planning for the future.
