Background

Morocco's growing urban population, about 17.7 million (about 55% of the total population) in 2011 and projected to grow to 27 million in 2025 (70% of the population) creates transport infrastructure challenges. At the same time, the spatial structure of the cities is changing significantly. Many economic activities are being relocated outside the city centres, and with demand for lower density residential areas, and the greater autonomy of younger households, Moroccan cities are spreading rapidly.

Policy Framework

The Moroccan government has initiated a series of reforms to improve the regulatory framework for transport infrastructure development. In addition to macro-economic policies encouraging investment and reducing risk in transport infrastructure, other sector specific amendments were introduced:

• Amendments to the "Charte Communale" allowing local governments to set up urban transportation planning and management Agencies

• Establishment of a National Commission for Urban Transport by the Ministry of Interior

• Law 54.05 providing a legal framework for concession contracts.

Challenges

• Inadequate supply of public transport

• Institutional weaknesses such as the limited capacity of central and local governments

• Human resource shortages

• Lack of environmental and social sustainability

• Insufficient attention to social issues such as accessibility

Project Pipeline

• Tanger-Med 2

• Tanger-Marrakech train line

• Casa Port Expansion (Terminal 4)

• Road Modernisation Programme