Morocco and Senegal Forge Railway Alliance: A New Era of African Transportation Cooperation

Morocco and Senegal have taken a significant step towards strengthening their partnership in the transportation sector. On Thursday, the two nations signed two framework cooperation agreements aimed at boosting railway development, marking a new chapter in their bilateral relations.

The agreements were signed between Morocco's National Railway Office (ONCF) and Senegal's National Company for the Management of the Regional Express Train (SEN-TER-SA), as well as between Morocco's Railway Training Institute (IFF) and SEN-TER-SA. This collaboration was solidified during a high-level meeting between Mohammed Abdeljalil, Morocco's Transport and Logistics Minister, and his Senegalese counterpart, Malick Ndiaye.

Both ministers expressed their satisfaction with the existing ties in the transport sector and emphasized their shared commitment to enhancing cooperation, particularly in railway development. The meeting explored various avenues for collaboration, including railway maintenance, road and air transport, and road safety.

To ensure the effective implementation of these agreements, the ministers agreed to establish a working group. This group will oversee the execution of the signed agreements and monitor the progress of recommendations made during the meeting.

As part of the broader initiative to strengthen ties, Abdeljalil extended an invitation to Ndiaye to attend the 4th World Conference on Road Safety, scheduled to take place in Marrakech in February 2025.

The Senegalese delegation's visit to Morocco, which took place from August 27 to 29, included field trips to Tangier, Fez, and Rabat. These visits provided the delegation with firsthand experience of Morocco's railway industry, particularly focusing on the maintenance of the country's high-speed train (TGV) system.

In his statement, Abdeljalil underscored the importance of bolstering cooperation between the two countries in the transportation sector. He emphasized the need for enhanced networking and communication to achieve this goal.

Ndiaye expressed his appreciation for the visit, stating that it offered a valuable opportunity to witness Morocco's achievements in urban and interurban mobility, especially in the railway sector. He noted that Senegal could benefit greatly from Morocco's best practices and pioneering experience in this field.

This collaboration between Morocco and Senegal represents a significant step towards improving transportation infrastructure in Africa. By sharing expertise and resources, both countries are paving the way for enhanced mobility and economic growth in the region. The partnership also serves as a model for other African nations looking to develop their transportation networks and foster regional cooperation.