As African countries advance efforts to expand and modernise their railway networks, unlocking finance at scale remains a central challenge. The Investment and Financing Solutions for Africa’s Railway Future Forum, co-organised by UIC and ONCF on 14 – 15 October 2026 in the Marriott Hotel, Rabat, will convene key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to discuss how to accelerate investment and strengthen the enabling environment for rail development.
The conference will focus on mobilising diverse sources of finance, improving project preparation and delivery, and supporting strategic investments in urban mobility and cross-border freight corridors. It will also explore the potential role of carbon markets and carbon credits in supporting rail projects. By bringing together decision-makers and practitioners, the event aims to foster dialogue, share lessons learned, and identify practical pathways to advance rail investment across Africa.
DRAFT AGENDA
Wednesday 14 October 2026
08:30-09:30: Registration and welcome coffee
09:30-11:00: Official opening session and Introductory Speech
- Minister of Transport and Logistics of Morocco
- Mohamed Rabie Khlie, CEO ONCF
- Eric Ntagengerwa, Head of Transport, African Union Commission (AUC)
- Asmae BOUREDDAYA, Regional Coordinator, AUDA-NEPAD
- Ibrahima BA, DG CFS, Senegal
- François Davenne, UIC Director General
11:00-11:30: Official visit of the exhibition area
11:30-13:00: First session: Roundtable: Mobilizing capital for rail and innovative financing mechanisms
| Haytham Eissa | Director, Head of Morocco office | EBRD | |
| Mehdi Bouriss | CEO | CDGK | |
| Michele Gesualdi | Senior Advisor | UIC | |
| World Bank Representative | Morocco office |
WB
13:00-14:30: Lunch break
14:30-16:00: Second session: Roundtable: Urban rail & mobility financing
| Catherine Bonnaud | Director, FDA Office in Rabat | FDA |
| Janne Rajpar | Director, KfW Office in Rabat | KfW |
| Cheikh Ibrahima Ndiaye | DG SEN-TER | SEN-TER Senegal |
| Wadii Ouchji | CEO RATP DEV Egypt | RATP DEV |
| Mesela Nhlapo | Representative of RWG | Rail Working Group |
| Philip Turner | Head of Sustainable Development | UITP |
16:00-16:30: Coffee break and booth visits
16:30-18:00: Third session: Roundtable: Regional integration & freight corridors
| AfDB representative | Morocco office | AfDB |
| Kawabata | Tomoyuki | JICA |
| George Aoko | Head of PIDA Projects | African Union Commission (AUC) |
| Asmae BOUREDDAYA | Regional Coordinator | AUDA-NEPAD |
| Amani Kalume Jean Paul | Deputy Director | The Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) |
20:00-22:00: Official dinner
Thursday 15 October 2026
09:00-09:30: Welcome coffee
9:30-11:00: Fourth session: Roundtable: Project preparation & bankability
| ALSTOM, Morocco office | ||
| Guillaume Remy | Director | Rebel/Zeroca |
| Jens Oliver Schuenzel | Head of Land-based Transportation | KfW IPEX |
| Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank |
11:00-11:30: Coffee break and booth visits
11:30-12:30: Closing Ceremony: Rabat Declaration and Launch of Coalition
- François Davenne, UIC Director General
12:30-13:30: Lunch break
13:30-14:30: B2B meetings
CONCEPT NOTE
Venue
Marriott Hotel, Rabat
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE
ACCOMODATION IN RABAT
We recommend booking your hotel at your earliest convenience.
- Marriott Hotel
- Atlantic Agdal Rabat
- Ibis Agdal Rabat
TRAVEL MODALITIES
Nearest airports: Rabat & Casablanca.
Getting to Rabat from Casablanca by train: please note that train service is available from Casablanca Mohammed V Airport to Rabat Agdal station, requiring a transfer at Casa Port station.
Trains serving the airport run from 05:55 to 19:55, with a frequency of one hour between departures.
Visa: Please verify your visa requirements before traveling.
Languages: English & French
Contact: For more information please contact Maria Lafont lafont at uic.org