Morocco’s national railway operator ONCF said Monday it has opened the new Hay Riad railway station in Rabat, boosting transport capacity in the capital days before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025).
The modern facility, located in the Hay Riad district opposite the Moulay Abdellah sports complex, is expected to play a key role in moving supporters and residents during the continental football tournament, which kicks off later this month.
Construction of the station began in February 2024 and was accelerated in recent weeks to ensure readiness ahead of the competition, the National Railway Office said.
Spanning 35,000 square metres, the station features a “bridge-station” design linking two major arteries — Avenue Annakhil to the east and Avenue Hassan II to the west — to improve pedestrian circulation and integrate rail infrastructure into the surrounding urban landscape.
The building comprises two main blocks, exterior public spaces and an underground passage connecting two basement parking areas, with façades opening onto both avenues.
The project, built by Moroccan construction firm Société Générale des Travaux du Maroc (SGTM), cost 187 million dirhams ($18.7 million).
ONCF said tickets to and from the new station are already available via its website, with services designed to accommodate increased passenger flows during AFCON matches at the adjacent stadium complex.
The railway operator is an official sponsor of AFCON 2025 under a partnership agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and plans to deploy its national network to serve fans throughout the tournament.
Background on the railway in Rabat
The Hay Riad station forms part of the wider “Rabat, City of Light” urban transformation programme, which aims to modernise infrastructure and respond to population growth in the Moroccan capital.
It complements existing hubs such as Rabat Agdal and Rabat Ville stations, easing pressure on the urban rail network and improving connectivity between residential, administrative and sporting zones.
Morocco has stepped up investment in transport infrastructure in recent years, including high-speed rail, urban mobility projects and stadium upgrades, as it positions itself as a regional logistics and tourism hub and a major host of international sporting events.
Authorities say the new station will continue to serve long-term urban mobility needs beyond AFCON 2025, supporting daily commuters as well as visitors to Rabat’s expanding administrative and cultural districts.
