Morocco Takes Big Steps Towards Building a Local Gaming Industry
RABAT, Morocco — Morocco is making exciting moves to develop its own gaming industry. The government is creating a developer hub in the capital city and is actively training new coders. They aim to attract tech-savvy young people to the gaming sector.
This week, state officials invited developers, students, and tech companies from around the globe to a gaming expo in Rabat. Attendees had the chance to test out new games, participate in e-sports tournaments, and learn about fresh initiatives designed to grow the gaming industry in Morocco. At the Morocco Gaming Expo, participants got to enjoy action-packed shooting games, explore virtual reality experiences, and connect with mobile providers looking to make their mark in the expanding mobile gaming market.
In its second year, the expo stands as a rare opportunity for African countries to diversify their economies and draw new industries to meet the needs of their young workforces.
Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in Africa by rolling out focused strategies for the gaming sector. Mehdi Ben Said, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, highlighted the government’s goal of attracting international gaming companies while encouraging local developers to create their own games. With youth unemployment rates close to 30%, many young Moroccans are looking for opportunities abroad. Ben Said believes the gaming industry can help spark job growth and provide new prospects.
“The goal is not just to make money but also to empower our youth,” he stated. “We need to provide real alternatives by opening new career paths.”
The global video game market is booming, bringing in over $200 billion annually, with 3 billion players worldwide. However, despite the widespread use of smartphones in the Middle East and Africa, the industry has largely remained dominated by East Asia, North America, and Western Europe. Currently, Morocco’s gaming sector generates more than $500 million a year, and officials are aiming to double this by 2030.
To support this growth, Morocco is launching training programs in game design, programming, and virtual reality. They are also establishing an industrial park where startups can bring new games to life. With a significant $26 million investment, “Rabat Gaming City” will include training facilities, co-working spaces, and production studios.
For students, the gaming industry represents a chance to turn a hobby into a profession. Fadwa Bezzazi, a coordinator at Université Mohammed V’s computer science and virtual reality club, noted that students are eager to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios.
“I wouldn’t say we’re preparing them for the future; that future is already here,” she remarked.
