South Korea’s Korail wins $6 million Morocco rail deal
South Korea’s national rail operator Korail has signed a $6 million contract with Morocco’s National Railways Office to supervise the rollout of 440 electric train cars. The 38-month agreement covers project management consultancy and maintenance advisory services for trains scheduled to enter service in 2029.
The signing took place at the ONCF headquarters, where Korail President Kim Taeseung met with ONCF Director General Mohamed Rabie Khlie.
Under the contract, Korail will oversee key stages of the project excluding manufacturing. Its responsibilities include design review, production quality management, pre-shipment inspection, trial operations, and final acceptance of electric multiple units capable of reaching 160 km/h.
The deal extends a broader partnership established last year. A consortium known as K-Railway One Team, including Korail, South Korea’s National Railroad Authority, and Hyundai Rotem, previously secured a $1.5 billion contract to manufacture and maintain the 440 train cars.
Korail will deploy technical teams to Morocco to work directly on the project. Engineers will support early design stages and remain involved through production and delivery.
The company will also provide maintenance advisory services to support long-term operations. This includes designing maintenance structures, training Moroccan railway staff, and strengthening local technical capacity. Moroccan personnel will also travel to South Korea for training programs.
The project is fully funded by the Moroccan government. Morocco continues to expand its rail network and remains the only African country operating a high-speed rail line, launched between Tangier and Casablanca in 2018 under the Al Boraq service.
A 430-kilometer high-speed extension between Kenitra and Marrakech is currently under development following its launch in 2025. The line is expected to be completed by 2029 and will significantly reduce travel times as part of a wider national rail investment program.
The investment aligns with Morocco’s broader infrastructure push ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with major upgrades planned across its rail network.
For South Korea, the agreement strengthens its position in North Africa’s transport sector. Korail described the partnership as a foundation for expansion into regional markets.
Korail President Kim Taeseung said the project reflects the transfer of railway expertise to Morocco and supports future growth across North Africa and the Middle East.
The 440-car procurement remains one of the largest rail contracts in Africa in recent years. Combined with the new advisory agreement, South Korea’s total involvement in Morocco’s rail modernization exceeds $1.5 billion.
Korail has indicated it will pursue additional cooperation as Morocco continues to expand its railway infrastructure.
