Morocco is making significant strides to establish a thriving local gaming industry through the creation of a developer hub, comprehensive training programs, and a major $26 million investment in Rabat Gaming City. This ambitious initiative is designed to empower the country’s youth, attract both local and international investment, and aim to double the gaming sector’s revenue by 2030, while addressing the challenge of high youth unemployment through technology-driven career opportunities.
During this week’s Morocco Gaming Expo in Rabat—the event’s second edition—developers, students, and technology companies from across the globe gathered to showcase and experience the latest in gaming innovation. Attendees participated in e-sports tournaments, explored immersive virtual reality experiences, tested educational gaming platforms, and networked with mobile providers eager to expand in the growing gaming market.
As one of the few African nations actively diversifying its economy by nurturing new industries for young professionals, Morocco is positioning itself as a regional leader in gaming. Mehdi Ben Said, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, emphasized the government’s dual goal of attracting international gaming companies to Morocco and encouraging local developers to produce original content. With youth unemployment hovering near 30 percent and many young people seeking opportunities abroad, the gaming sector offers a promising path for job creation and economic diversification.
Ben Said stated, “Our objective is not just to increase revenue but to empower our youth. We need to provide meaningful alternatives by opening new career opportunities in this fast-growing field.”
Globally, the video game industry is booming, generating over $200 billion in annual revenue and engaging more than 3 billion players worldwide. Despite widespread smartphone adoption in the Middle East and Africa, the industry remains concentrated in East Asia, North America, and Western Europe. Currently, Morocco’s gaming sector generates over $500 million annually, with government officials targeting a doubling of this figure by 2030.
As part of its growth strategy, Morocco is rolling out training programs focused on game design, programming, and virtual reality, alongside developing an industrial park to incubate gaming startups. The centerpiece of these efforts, Rabat Gaming City, is set to become a cutting-edge hub featuring training facilities, co-working spaces, and fully equipped production studios.
For students passionate about gaming, the industry presents an exciting opportunity to transform their interests into viable careers. Fadwa Bezzazi, coordinator of the undergraduate computer science and virtual reality club at Université Mohammed V, remarked, “We’re not just preparing students for the future—the future is already here. Students are eager to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world projects.”
Morocco’s focused investment in gaming reflects a forward-thinking approach to youth empowerment and economic diversification through technology, setting a strong example for the continent.
