Al Boraq

Al Boraq is the high-speed passenger rail brand operated by Morocco's national railway company, the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF). The service connects Tangier in northern Morocco with Casablanca on the country's Atlantic economic corridor, serving Kenitra and Rabat along the way. Its name, selected by King Mohammed VI, refers to al-Buraq, the supernatural creature associated in Islamic tradition with the Prophet Muhammad's night journey. The name gives the service a specifically Moroccan and culturally resonant identity while distinguishing it from a generic technical designation such as high-speed rail. Al Boraq opened to passengers in November 2018 and was the first high-speed railway service on the African continent. The initial route covers approximately 323 kilometres. Its northern section, between Tangier and Kenitra, uses a purpose-built high-speed railway with a maximum operating speed of 320 kilometres per hour. From Kenitra southward, trains use an upgraded conventional main line through Rabat and onward to Casablanca. This mixed infrastructure arrangement allowed ONCF to introduce a major reduction in journey times before the entire corridor had been converted to dedicated high-speed track. At launch, the service reduced the scheduled Casablanca–Tangier journey from roughly four hours and forty-five minutes to about two hours and ten minutes. The operating model combines a high-speed intercity product with upgraded stations, modern signalling, dedicated maintenance facilities and a fleet of Alstom Euroduplex double-deck trainsets. Each trainset is configured with first- and second-class accommodation and a buffet car, giving Al Boraq both a premium travel proposition and a higher-capacity mass-transit role. The service forms the first operating phase of Morocco's wider plan for an approximately 1,500-kilometre high-speed rail network. Later expansion plans have focused on extending high-speed services southward toward Marrakesh and eventually Agadir. Government and ONCF planning has contemplated new or upgraded infrastructure between the existing northern corridor, Casablanca, Marrakesh and the Souss region, although the timing and final configuration of those extensions remain subject to construction and investment decisions. Al Boraq's significance extends beyond the rail journey itself. It is a national infrastructure showcase, a symbol of Morocco's transport modernization and an important component of the country's intercity connectivity strategy. The project required long-term public planning, international financing, European technical participation and cooperation between ONCF, Alstom and other railway-system suppliers. The brand therefore represents both a passenger-facing service and the public identity of Morocco's first high-speed rail programme. It remains active as an ONCF service, with future development tied to the expansion of Morocco's high-speed railway network.

Morocco began examining the feasibility of high-speed rail in the early 2000s. By 2006, the Tangier–Kenitra corridor had been identified as an early candidate because it connected the country's major northern port and industrial zone with the Rabat–Casablanca metropolitan corridor. Preliminary project and management agreements followed in 2007, while ONCF developed plans to acquire high-speed rolling stock and construct a dedicated northern line. The project's financing framework was finalized in February 2010. It combined Moroccan public investment, European funding and commercial borrowing, with funds allocated among infrastructure, supporting systems and rolling stock. The original schedule envisaged construction beginning around 2010 and passenger operations several years later, but implementation took longer than initially planned. ONCF ultimately signed a final agreement with Alstom in December 2010 for Euroduplex trainsets. Construction formally began with a groundbreaking ceremony in Tangier on 29 September 2011. The central new-build element was the 186-kilometre Tangier–Kenitra high-speed line. At the same time, ONCF worked on the existing Kenitra–Casablanca corridor, including capacity improvements intended to separate or better accommodate freight movements and passenger services. Stations at Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca were built, extensively reconstructed or modernized as part of the wider programme. The first trainset arrived in Tangier in June 2015. A dedicated maintenance facility was completed later that year, and ONCF established a joint maintenance arrangement with France's SNCF for the trains. Testing at progressively higher speeds began in 2017. During the test programme, a train reached 357 kilometres per hour, setting an African rail speed record, although commercial service speeds were lower. Track construction on the new high-speed section was completed in October 2017. Catenary installation followed, with the electrical system energized in January 2018 and the line's control centre becoming operational the next month. The project experienced further delays while route testing and station work were completed. Al Boraq was ceremonially inaugurated on 15 November 2018 at Tangier, with the inaugural train travelling toward Rabat. Regular commercial operations began later in 2018, and scheduled services connected Casablanca and Tangier at frequent intervals. The completed route uses two different railway environments. Tangier–Kenitra is a dedicated high-speed railway electrified at 25 kV, 50 Hz AC, while Kenitra–Casablanca initially retained the existing 3,000-volt DC electrification and conventional alignment. The signalling system uses European Train Control System technology supplied by railway-system contractors. This phased design allowed Morocco to deliver a functioning high-speed service while planning future infrastructure upgrades. After launch, national transport planning increasingly focused on extending high-speed rail southward. In 2022, government announcements described a future connection toward Agadir through Marrakesh and proposed stages for new or upgraded tracks linking the original line with the Casablanca and Marrakesh area. Tests between Casablanca and Marrakesh were reported in January 2023 on existing infrastructure, using lower speeds as part of the assessment process. In March 2025, Alstom announced an order for 18 Avelia Horizon trains for Morocco, indicating continued investment in the country's high-speed rail ambitions, although the precise allocation of those trainsets across future services is not established here.

1. 2025Avelia Horizon order announced

   Alstom announced an order for 18 Avelia Horizon high-speed trains for Morocco.

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2. 2023Casablanca–Marrakesh testing reported

   Testing on existing tracks between Casablanca and Marrakesh was reported as part of future expansion planning.

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3. 2022Southern expansion plans announced

   Government announcements described eventual high-speed connections toward Marrakesh and Agadir.

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4. 2018Al Boraq inaugurated

   The service was inaugurated on 15 November, introducing high-speed passenger rail on the Tangier–Casablanca corridor.

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5. 2017Testing sets African rail speed record

   During testing, an Al Boraq train reached 357 kilometres per hour.

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6. 2015First Euroduplex trainset arrives

   The first Alstom trainset was delivered to Tangier, and a dedicated maintenance facility was completed later that year.

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7. 2011Construction begins

   The Tangier groundbreaking ceremony formally launched construction of the high-speed line.

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8. 2010Project financing finalized

   ONCF completed a financing package combining Moroccan public investment, European funding and commercial loans.

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9. 2006Tangier–Kenitra selected as an initial corridor

   The Tangier–Kenitra route was identified as one of the first sections to be developed.

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10. 2003Early high-speed rail feasibility studies

    Morocco began formal feasibility work for a national high-speed rail programme.

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A modern, nationally significant high-speed rail service combining rapid intercity travel, Moroccan cultural identity and the infrastructure ambitions of ONCF.

• Al Boraq Tangier–Casablanca serviceHigh-speed passenger rail2018

  The core Al Boraq offering is a scheduled high-speed intercity service linking Tangier with Casablanca via Kenitra and Rabat. The approximately 323-kilometre journey combines dedicated high-speed infrastructure north of Kenitra with upgraded conventional railway south of Kenitra. The service is designed for both business and leisure travel along Morocco's principal Atlantic urban and economic corridor.

• Alstom Euroduplex trainsetsHigh-speed rolling stock2018

  Al Boraq operates bilevel Alstom Euroduplex trainsets. The train configuration includes power cars, first-class accommodation, second-class accommodation and a buffet car, with a reported capacity of 533 passengers per trainset. The trains support the service's combination of high speed, intercity capacity and differentiated passenger classes.

• Avelia Horizon trainsFuture high-speed rolling stock2025

  Alstom announced an order for 18 Avelia Horizon trains in March 2025 for Morocco's high-speed rail programme. The trains represent a newer generation of rolling stock associated with the country's planned network expansion, although the specific operating deployment and entry date for Al Boraq services have not been established.

• 2025Order next-generation Avelia Horizon trainsGeneration change

  Morocco's high-speed rail ambitions require additional rolling stock beyond the Euroduplex fleet used for the original Al Boraq corridor.

  What changed. Alstom announced an order for 18 Avelia Horizon trains for Morocco.

  Aftermath. The order supports future capacity and network expansion, although the precise routes and timetable for introducing the trains have not been specified.

  Contract value. €781 million (Announced March 2025)

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• 2022Plan southward network expansionStrategy

  After the Tangier–Casablanca service entered operation, Morocco's national rail strategy considered extending high-speed connectivity into the country's central and southern urban corridors.

  What changed. Government announcements described staged infrastructure development toward Marrakesh and an eventual extension toward Agadir.

  Aftermath. The plans established a potential next phase for Morocco's high-speed rail network, but construction sequencing, service launch dates and final Al Boraq deployment remain subject to further decisions.

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• 2018Launch the first Moroccan high-speed passenger serviceProduct launch

  Morocco had developed the Tangier–Kenitra high-speed line while upgrading the existing route toward Casablanca. ONCF needed a passenger-facing identity for the new service and a phased operating model that could use both new and upgraded infrastructure.

  What changed. ONCF launched Al Boraq on 15 November 2018 with Alstom Euroduplex trainsets, connecting Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca.

  Aftermath. The service reduced the Casablanca–Tangier journey substantially and established Morocco as the operator of Africa's first high-speed passenger rail service.

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• 2025Alstom receives order for 18 Avelia Horizon trains for Morocco

  Alstom announced an order for 18 Avelia Horizon high-speed trains intended for Morocco's expanding intercity rail programme. The reported contract value was €781 million.

  Product generationProduct launch
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• 2022Morocco outlines possible Al Boraq extension toward Agadir

  Morocco's transport minister stated that the high-speed network was intended eventually to reach Agadir, with a proposed high-speed connection involving Marrakesh.

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• 2022Plans advance for dedicated high-speed tracks toward Marrakesh

  Planning announcements described a staged programme of dedicated or upgraded high-speed infrastructure linking the existing corridor with Casablanca, Nouaceur and Marrakesh.

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• 2018Al Boraq high-speed service inaugurated in Morocco

  Morocco inaugurated Al Boraq on 15 November 2018, opening the country's first high-speed passenger railway and Africa's first such service. The initial corridor connected Tangier with Casablanca through Kenitra and Rabat.

  Product launch
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1. Al Boraq
2. Alstom announces Moroccan Avelia Horizon train order
3. Al Boraq official website