The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway has officially been named the “Donald Trump Highway.” Reacting to the decision, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a message of thanks to King Mohammed VI on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon!” the U.S. president wrote. The announcement was accompanied by a video explaining the significance of the infrastructure, its purpose, and its technical features.
The 1,055-kilometer highway is one of the largest road infrastructure projects completed in Morocco. Built to international standards, it represents a total investment estimated at between 9 billion and 10 billion dirhams. Opened in phases until the inauguration of its final section in January 2025, it connects Tiznit to Dakhla via Guelmim and Laayoune.
The project is part of the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces, launched in 2015 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Green March. It seeks to strengthen transport infrastructure in order to improve links between the north and south of the Kingdom and support the economic development of this part of the country.
The highway includes 16 major engineering structures built to meet international technical standards. They demonstrated their resilience during the recent rainfall recorded in the Southern Provinces.
The project also includes the Kingdom’s longest bridge, considered one of the centerpiece structures of the highway. It incorporates facilities for road users, including modern rest areas and spaces dedicated to the unloading and marketing of seafood products, a strategic sector for the southern Atlantic provinces.
Three main sections
The expressway consists of three main sections.
The first covers the Laayoune-Dakhla section, approximately 500 kilometers long. Reinforcement and widening works on National Road No. 1 along this stretch were completed several years ago at a cost of about 1 billion dirhams.
Tiznit-Dakhla expressway. (M.Oubarka/Le360). Le360
The second section links Guelmim to Laayoune over a distance of 436 kilometers. Its construction required nearly 5 billion dirhams in investment, largely due to the construction of numerous bridges spanning major riverbeds.
The third section connects Tiznit to Guelmim over 114 kilometers. Completed at the end of 2024, it was opened to traffic on Jan. 10, 2025, following the completion of road works and signage.
The expressway facilitates the transport of goods between the cities it serves and improves access to the Sahara regions. The service facilities developed along the route are also intended to support local economic activities, particularly those related to the fishing sector.
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It also contributes to reducing traffic accidents through improved traffic flow and upgraded horizontal and vertical road signage along the entire route between Tiznit and Dakhla.
Designed as a major infrastructure project, the expressway is expected to support the economic and logistical development of the Southern Provinces while preparing for future needs generated by major regional projects, particularly the Dakhla Atlantique Port.
Now named the “Donald Trump Highway,” the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway has gained greater international visibility. The message posted by U.S. President Donald Trump to King Mohammed VI, reflects the symbolic significance of the infrastructure, in addition to its role as a strategic corridor linking the north and south of the Kingdom and supporting the economic development of the Southern Provinces.
