Morocco inaugurates Trump‑named Tiznit‑Dakhla Expressway
Morocco has officially renamed its 1,055‑kilometre Tiznit–Dakhla expressway the "President Donald J. Trump Highway". The project, costing about $1 billion (≈10 billion dirhams), was launched in 2015 and became fully operational in 2025. It features a 2×2‑lane section between Tiznit and Laâyoune, a reinforced Laâyoune–Dakhla stretch, 16 bridges, seven rest areas, 18 drainage areas and six bypasses. The highway is expected to cut travel times by more than three hours for cars and five hours for trucks, improve access to the future Dakhla Atlantic port and stimulate tourism, logistics and investment in southern Morocco.
The naming reflects the close diplomatic relationship between Morocco and the United States after Washington’s 2020 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Donald Trump thanked King Mohammed VI on Truth Social for the tribute, framing the gesture as an honour. Analysts view the move as part of Morocco’s broader strategy to cement its claim over the disputed territory through large‑scale infrastructure and international partnerships.
Entities: Dakhla Atlantic Port · Donald Trump · King Mohammed VI · Kingdom of Morocco · Morocco · Tiznit · Tiznit–Dakhla Expressway · United States · Western Sahara
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The expressway cost about $1 billion (≈10 billion dirhams). (Project cost)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The naming reflects the close diplomatic relationship after the United States recognized Morocco’s sovereignty claim over Western Sahara in 2020. (Political context)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Morocco renamed its 1,055‑km Tiznit–Dakhla expressway the 'President Donald J. Trump Highway'. (Renaming of the expressway)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The highway reduces travel time by more than three hours for light vehicles and more than five hours for heavy trucks. (Travel‑time reduction)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The expressway became fully operational in 2025. (Operational date)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The highway is intended to support the future Dakhla Atlantic port and broader economic development in southern Morocco. (Strategic purpose)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The expressway includes a 2×2‑lane section, 16 bridges, seven rest areas, 18 drainage areas and six bypasses. (Infrastructure details)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Donald Trump thanked King Mohammed VI on Truth Social for naming the highway. (Trump's statement)