The booming tourism sector in Morocco, poised to make it Africa’s most visited country, is driving a parallel expansion in its tech infrastructure. As visitor numbers surge, the kingdom is investing in a network of “Technoparks” designed to foster innovation and support the growth of digital businesses.

By November 2024, Morocco had welcomed nearly 16 million tourists, a 20 per cent increase year-on-year. Authorities are optimistic about reaching 17.5 million visitors in 2025. This influx, driven by factors including targeted promotion and regional instability diverting travellers from other destinations, has seen tourism contribute 7 per cent to Morocco’s GDP, generating €9.2bn in revenue in 2024 alone.

While established destinations like Marrakech, with its strong air links to France and growing British visitor numbers, continue to attract the majority of tourists, the economic benefits are prompting wider investment. A key element of this strategy is the development of Technoparks, designed to nurture local tech talent and diversify the economy.

One such project is the Technopark in Tiznit, southern Morocco. With a budget of 5m dirhams ($500,000), the initiative, backed by the Tiznit municipality, aims to support emerging technology companies, particularly in areas like smart systems and modern technologies. The facility will provide workspaces for start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises, co-working spaces, training rooms, meeting rooms, and administrative offices.

Ibrahim Lkaddi, vice-president of the Tiznit municipality, told local media that the Technopark is intended to capitalise on the region’s potential, creating jobs and fostering local talent. The Tiznit project joins a growing network of similar facilities in Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Agadir, and the Souss-Massa Innovation City. This national strategy aims to create a supportive ecosystem for digital businesses across the country.

The expansion of these tech hubs coincides with Morocco ’s increasing prominence on the global stage. The country will host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, expected to attract around 500,000 visitors, and is part of a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. These events are anticipated to further boost tourism and provide a platform to showcase Morocco’s growing technological capabilities.

While the tourism sector’s current success is undeniable, with factors like geopolitical instability in other regions playing a role, the Moroccan government is clearly looking to build a more sustainable and diversified economy. The investment in Technoparks suggests a long-term strategy to leverage the current tourism boom to foster innovation and create a more resilient economic future.