Al Boraq, Morocco's only high-speed train, with profits of 92%

Al Boraq train in Morocco

April 13, 2026

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Railways in Africa are important and strategic means of transport, given their role in economic development and saving time and money. Although they extend over a distance of 83,000 kilometers, there is only one high-speed line on the continent, which currently operates between Tangier and Casablanca in Morocco, according to CNN.

Meanwhile, Egypt is currently working on developing a network that extends for about 2000 kilometers.

One of the fastest trains in the world

The Moroccan Al Boraq train is one of the fastest trains in the world, with a speed of 320 kilometers per hour, making it the second fastest in the world.

The Al-Buraq train, which started between the cities of Tangier and Casablanca, passing through Rabat, was launched in 2018, as the first high-speed railway project in Africa, as a result of an international Moroccan-French partnership.

Indeed, the train succeeded in reducing the travel time between the two cities from 5 hours to less than 2 hours. According to the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), “Al Boraq” transported approximately 5.6 million passengers during the year 2025, registering an increase of 3% compared to the year 2024.

Train specifications

The specifications include comfortable carriages, as well as advanced safety systems, a dedicated high-speed rail line, in addition to integrating modern technology into an environment not traditionally known for its advanced transport infrastructure.

The “Buraq” is also much faster than its counterparts in several countries, especially the United States, and stands alongside the fastest Asian and European trains, such as the Chinese “Fuching Hao” which tops the list with a speed of 350 km/h.

Increasing profits

As for economic profitability, Abdel Samad Qayouh, the Moroccan Minister of Transport, revealed that its revenues have witnessed a remarkable development, from 407 million dirhams in 2019 to 780 million dirhams in 2024; an increase equivalent to 92 percent.

He revealed that these revenues represent about 28 percent of the turnover of passenger transport activity in Morocco, reflecting the growing importance of the train. .

These gains contribute to strengthening the financial balance of the sector by achieving a surplus margin that enables it to contribute to financing part of the investments directed towards basic infrastructure.