“The kingdom is looking for numerous projects, ranging from road infrastructure to rail, including telecommunications and water management,” says the newspaper The EchoesStéphane Perez, general director of the NGE group which was selected at the end of 2024 by the National Railway Office (ONCF) of Morocco to carry out the work to deploy the high-speed line to Marrakech. The construction group, present in Morocco for 35 years, notes an acceleration of infrastructure and urban development projects, in anticipation of the 2030 Football World Cup, which the kingdom is organizing, jointly with Spain and Portugal. .
Apart from the high-speed line project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2030, other major projects are underway in the kingdom. These include, among others, the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, completed in 2024, and the extension of the Tanger Med port, with the construction of two quays, one near Dakhla, and the other in Nador. Added to these projects are those relating to energy transition which also attract foreign investors, particularly French, Chinese and Emirati.
Read: TGV Kénitra – Marrakech: French companies are rubbing their hands
With its strategic geographical position, Morocco is seen by certain companies as a gateway to Africa. According to data from the Moroccan Foreign Exchange Office, the kingdom’s foreign direct investments (FDI) have almost doubled since 2019. “After having long looked at Europe for multiple reasons, Morocco is reviving its roots, with a presence stronger diplomatic relations in several African countries, and the development of win-win partnerships,” analyzes Sami El Omari, teacher-researcher on the TBS Education campus in Casablanca.
According to the expert, the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAF) agreement in 2018 is a boon for French companies. “An SME could benefit from easier access to the African market, particularly in highly exporting sectors such as mechanics, renewable energies, agricultural processing or the pharmaceutical industry,” he explains, adding that the presence of banks Moroccan companies such as Attijariwafa Bank, Chaabi Bank and Bank of Africa in West and East Africa, further reassures investors. “These institutions serve as a benchmark for entrepreneurs, and help to counter the risks associated with payment security.”
