ONCF: A National Security Framework Enhanced by AI by 2030
The National Office of Railways (ONCF) Takes a Significant Step Towards Modernizing its Security Systems
On Tuesday, September 8, the National Office of Railways (ONCF) announced the launch of a tender estimated at 1.08 million dirhams aimed at developing a national scheme, by 2030, that incorporates video surveillance, artificial intelligence, and unified monitoring across its entire railway network.
A Contract Dedicated to Designing the Future System
The contract involves an assistance mission for project management. At this stage, it does not include the acquisition of cameras, servers, or video analysis software. The primary objective is to define the architecture of the future system, identify needs, and establish technical guidelines that will allow ONCF to gradually deploy a national security solution.
This initial phase is intended to serve as a foundation for future contracts related to video surveillance equipment, data storage and processing capabilities, transmission systems, and supervision centers. Currently, ONCF has not announced a global budget allocated for these equipment.
A System Set to Support Network Expansion
This initiative comes as the Moroccan railway sector is experiencing a significant phase of expansion. ONCF plans an investment program totaling 96 billion dirhams by 2030, with 53 billion earmarked for infrastructure and equipment of the new high-speed rail line connecting Kénitra to Marrakech, which spans 430 kilometers.
The ONCF also plans to allocate 29 billion dirhams for the renewal and strengthening of its rolling stock, as well as 14 billion for the modernization of the existing network. For the year 2026 alone, the projected investments will reach approximately 23 billion dirhams.
A Program to Acquire 168 New Trains
The renewal of rolling stock is a key component of this strategy. The 29 billion dirhams allocated will primarily fund the acquisition of 18 high-speed trains from the French group Alstom, 40 intercity trains from the Spanish manufacturer CAF, and 110 regional trains from South Korean company Hyundai Rotem.
These various contracts also include industrial commitments in Morocco, notably the establishment of a factory for manufacturing regional trains, along with agreements for the maintenance of these trains over several years.
Moreover, the expansion of the network will inevitably broaden the security perimeter. In the Casablanca region, the construction work between Mohammedia and Nouaceur is set to enhance the infrastructure to six tracks, with two dedicated to high-speed trains and two for local trains.
Artificial Intelligence Already at the Heart of Considerations
ONCF is also set to undertake the construction of new stations, nearly 600 kilometers of electrified tracks, and nine maintenance centers and technicenters as part of its work program extending until the end of 2027.
In this context, the integration of artificial intelligence into security systems appears to be an evolution that ONCF is already contemplating. In December 2025, ONCF and the International Union of Railways organized the 20th World Congress on Railway Security in Rabat, which brought together over 250 representatives from 30 countries.
The discussions at this congress particularly focused on digitization, artificial intelligence, and integrated surveillance systems within the railway sector.
A National Scheme Ahead of Future Investments
The upcoming security framework envisioned for 2030 is designed to help ONCF structure all these technologies as its network expands and modernizes. It will specifically need to define the categories of equipment and software to be retained, the modes of interconnection for the different systems, and the organization of future supervision centers.
However, the initiation of this mission does not yet indicate the amount of investments that will be allocated to the equipment. The timing, volume, and nature of subsequent contracts will depend on the conclusions of the scheme and the decisions ONCF makes at the end of this design phase.
