Tangier to Launch $840 Million Tramway Project Ahead of 2030 World Cup
Tangier, The Gulf Observer: Tangier is set to become Morocco’s fourth city to operate a tramway system, following the announcement of a MAD 8.4 billion ($840 million) urban transit project aimed at strengthening the city’s infrastructure ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The project, unveiled this month, involves the construction of three tramway lines spanning 25 to 30 kilometers across the city. It is designed to address FIFA’s concerns about transportation deficiencies, which were highlighted in the organization’s December 2024 evaluation report. Tangier had received a score of 2.6 out of 5 for transport infrastructure, prompting city officials to accelerate modernization efforts.
Key stakeholders in the project include the Tangier Municipality, the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council, the Northern Regions Development Agency, and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. Alstom Transport Morocco, a leading player in mobility solutions, will oversee the tramway system’s implementation. The company’s director, Thi Mai Tran, recently met with local authorities to discuss the project’s development.
The tramway will be financed through a combination of international and national funds. Approximately 65% of the cost will be supported by French public sources and the European Investment Bank, with the remaining 35% covered by Moroccan public funds.
This initiative follows Morocco’s broader push to expand its tramway infrastructure. In September 2024, Casablanca launched tram lines T3 and T4, adding 26.5 kilometers and 39 stations to its network. These lines currently operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with 10-minute intervals initially, expected to shorten to 5 minutes.
Tangier’s tramway is part of a wider urban transformation. In January, Mayor Mounir Laymouri announced a MAD 1.124 billion ($112.4 million) investment in public transport, which includes the development of a high-quality urban bus transit line. The city’s Ibn Batouta Airport is also undergoing a MAD 3.27 billion ($327 million) expansion to increase its passenger capacity from 2 million to 7 million annually by 2029. The upgrade includes a new terminal, control tower, and expanded aircraft parking over 199 hectares.
Preliminary plans for the tramway system suggest that one of the lines will link the offshore zone near the TGV station with the Moghogha and Béni Makada districts. Another line will run along Boulevard Moulay Ismaïl, passing through major neighborhoods such as the Hassani district, Gzénaya’s industrial zones, Souani, and the university district, while also serving the TFZ and Béni Makada.
Originally anticipated by Tangier’s residents since 2014, the tramway project is expected to significantly improve public transportation in the city of 1.1 million inhabitants and ensure compliance with FIFA’s infrastructure standards ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal.
