Morocco banks on gaming industry to address rising unemployment
With rising youth unemployment, Morocco is turning to the booming global gaming industry to spark innovation, generate jobs and unlock digital futures.
Morocco.- Morocco’s strategy to combat a soaring 37 per cent youth unemployment rate hinges on a bold new frontier, the fast growing gaming industry. By investing in this dynamic digital sector, the country aims to power up job creation and build future-ready opportunities for its young population.
Youth unemployment hit a staggering 37.7 per cent in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 1.8 percentage points from the previous quarter, according to a report by the High Commission for Planning. While the numbers are alarming, Morocco’s response is anything but passive. It is actively building a digital economy where young talent can thrive.
Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mehdi Bensaid, is championing the gaming industry as a key driver for growth. “Morocco is betting on the video game industry to create new jobs, diversify the economy and position the country in the digital economy of the future,” he said, according to AP news.
Gaming powers Morocco’s youth future
Globally, the video game market is attracting more than three billion players. Morocco is eager to tap into this momentum. The country’s gaming sector already generates over $500m a year, and government officials aim to double that by 2030.
Bensaid added that gaming has a great role to play in youth empowerment. “The objective is not only to generate revenue but also to empower youth. We must offer real alternatives to our young people by opening up new career opportunities.”
A standout in this ambitious development is Rabat Gaming City, a $26m project spread across five hectares. Packed with co-working hubs, production studios and training centres, it is geared to arm young Moroccans with the must-have skills in game development, programming and virtual reality, preparing them for success in the future.
Morocco is also focusing on developing talent alongside its major development projects. Collaborations with France have produced programs like the “Video Game Creator” course, while universities are rolling out industry-aligned, hands-on training to bridge the gap between education and employment.
For thousands of young Moroccans, gaming represents more than play. It is a shot at purpose, prosperity and global relevance. Morocco is not just joining the game. It is rewriting the rules.
