As President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Morocco today, his itinerary reflects more than just diplomatic ties. Among his activities, he is set to participate in a gaming showcase with French and Moroccan gamers at the International University of Rabat, a nod to Morocco’s ambition to transform its capital, Rabat, into a regional gaming hub. The Moroccan government has recently outlined a substantial plan to invest 360 million dirhams (approximately $36 million) into a specialized gaming zone in Rabat, aimed at catalyzing growth in the video game sector and positioning the country as a leader in Africa and the Middle East.
The funding for this project is included in Morocco’s 2025 Finance Bill, which marks the government’s formal commitment to cultivating a gaming ecosystem. The proposed zone will integrate game creation, coding, training programs, and business support aimed at fostering innovation and attracting both regional and international companies.
A Vision Backed by Numbers
Gaming is one of Morocco’s fastest-growing sectors within the cultural and creative industries, and its economic potential is beginning to attract attention. Although the gaming market in Morocco is relatively young, it has shown significant growth. According to projections by Statista, the industry is expected to generate revenue of around 2.28 billion dirhams in 2024, with potential to grow to approximately 3 billion dirhams by 2027. This growth represents a projected annual increase of nearly 9.4% from 2024 to 2027.
Leading the charge on the government side is Mehdi Bensaïd, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, who has prioritized sectoral diversification since taking office in 2021. A recent strategic partnership with Huawei, signed on October 23, underscores this commitment, aiming to support local talent and incubate gaming startups. Bensaïd’s vision for the Rabat gaming zone is ambitious: he estimates it could create up to 5,000 jobs and yield 5 billion dirhams in revenue by 2030, with an ecosystem ready to support everything from game development to distribution.
A Growing International Interest
Next year, Rabat is set to host the second edition of an international gaming expo, a platform designed to attract international stakeholders and promote Morocco as a gaming destination. The event is expected to enhance Rabat’s profile within the global gaming community, further driving international investment in the sector. This gaming expo builds on the success of the inaugural Morocco Gaming Expo, held earlier this year, where government officials highlighted Morocco’s progress and potential as a leader in the gaming industry in North Africa.
“Morocco is a young country with digital habits growing rapidly. Yet, integration of the gaming industry into our economy could be improved,” says Hicham Alaoui, CEO of Alliance Trade. Alaoui notes that, compared to similarly sized economies, Morocco’s gaming sector has room for growth, especially given the country’s pool of qualified engineers and coders.
The Game City Project
The Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication has structured its gaming strategy around four key pillars: infrastructure, training, incubation, and promotion. The cornerstone of this strategy is the Game City project in Rabat, which, if successful, will expand to Casablanca. This specialized zone is expected to serve as the epicenter of the country’s gaming industry, hosting both national and international gaming companies.
For Morocco’s ambitions to materialize, substantial investments are essential. “The production of a game can exceed $100 million, which means Morocco must attract major players like Ubisoft,” says Mehdi Alaoui, CEO of StartupNation. The ministry’s strategy also addresses workforce development, aiming to equip young Moroccans with specialized skills in game coding and programming — a necessity if Morocco aims to become a competitive player in the gaming industry.
A source from the Ministry of Culture emphasized the dual challenge of technological and regulatory frameworks for gaming in Morocco. “Today, we need to think about gaming that is based on Moroccan culture. Additionally, the legal framework needs to consider the social impact of games, especially in relation to content regulation,” the source noted.
One key player in Morocco’s gaming and e-sports landscape is Accelab, an innovation and investment incubator based in Rabat. Founded in 2020, Accelab has secured over $1.5 million in funding and supported more than 68 startups.
“Our primary goal has always been to promote sports entrepreneurship and draw investor attention to the brilliant minds within the sports industry,” Othman Ibn Ghazala, General Manager of Accelab, stated. Younes Mechrafi, General Manager of Al-Maghrabia for Games and Sports, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing a commitment to supporting sports startups and providing resources to help them thrive.
Morocco’s Strategic Bet on Gaming
With its eyes set on becoming a leader in gaming for Africa and the Arab world, Morocco’s government and private sector are making targeted investments and forming strategic partnerships to fuel the industry’s growth. From infrastructure projects like the Rabat gaming zone to incubators and international expos, Morocco is preparing to take a leading role in the gaming and e-sports sector.
The planned gaming zone in Rabat, coupled with a commitment to workforce development and collaboration with global tech leaders, marks a new phase for Morocco’s economy. By fostering local talent, promoting international partnerships, and establishing regulatory frameworks that accommodate a growing digital audience, Morocco aims to attract investors, developers, and gaming enthusiasts alike to the new heart of gaming in North Africa.