The National Railways Office (ONCF) is taking part in the 15th edition of the international transport technology fair, which opened Tuesday and runs through September 25. Its pavilion highlights the expansion of Morocco’s high-speed rail network, new regional services and the modernization of existing infrastructure.
Mohammed Smouni, ONCF deputy director general, told MAP that the investment program includes extending the high-speed rail line from Kenitra to Marrakech, developing new regional rail services and upgrading existing infrastructure.
The ONCF delegation includes around 35 professionals who are holding meetings with major international rail manufacturers and equipment suppliers, including Alstom, Spain’s CAF and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem.
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The three companies are involved in ONCF’s program to acquire 168 new trains: 18 high-speed trains from Alstom, 40 intercity trains from CAF and 110 regional express trains from Hyundai Rotem.
The program also looks beyond fleet renewal, with Morocco seeking to build up a domestic rail industry by localizing part of train production and gradually increasing the share of local industrial integration, Smouni said.
Several memorandums of understanding are also expected to be signed during the fair, including an agreement between the Moroccan Rail Industry Cluster and its European counterpart aimed at expanding cooperation between Moroccan rail companies and European partners.
German official highlights investment opportunities
The Moroccan pavilion was visited Tuesday by Ulrich Lange, Germany’s parliamentary state secretary for transport, who was briefed on Morocco’s major railway projects and plans for the sector.
Speaking to MAP on the sidelines of InnoTrans, Lange described Morocco’s high-speed rail development as an “impressive” project offering major investment opportunities. He also highlighted German-Moroccan cooperation in transport, particularly railways, describing it as beneficial to both countries.
Morocco is participating in InnoTrans for the third time. Its presence at the fair is also intended to follow the latest technological developments in the global rail industry and expand exchanges with international manufacturers and suppliers.
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Morocco’s ambassador to Germany, Zohour Alaoui, also highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation between the two countries in rail transport and industry. She pointed to the Moroccan-German joint transport commission as one of the mechanisms supporting bilateral cooperation.
InnoTrans 2026 is bringing together a record 3,170 exhibitors from 59 countries in Berlin from September 22 to 25. The 30th-anniversary edition features 180 world premieres, while 113 rail vehicles from 17 countries are on display across the fair’s outdoor and track areas.
