Morocoo breaks ground on first-ever gaming industry zone
Rabat to become the epicentre of game development in North Africa with a high-powered investment.
Morocco: In a bold move set to turbocharge Morocco’s digital ambitions, the government has announced the creation of the country’s first industrial zone dedicated entirely to the gaming industry. The state-of-the-art hub, to be constructed in Rabat, marks a significant milestone in Morocco’s growing tech and creative economy, and it’s packing serious firepower.
Spearheaded by Youth, Culture and Communication Minister Mehdi Bensaid, the project carries a hefty price tag of nearly MAD360m ($35.5m), and will sprawl across five hectares of prime capital land. But this isn’t just another real estate development. With three futuristic towers designed exclusively for game developers and manufacturers, the zone will serve as mission control for Morocco’s gaming ambitions.
During a response to a parliamentary question, Bensaid explained that this was a cornerstone project in the country’s national digital strategy.
Joint agreement for roll out
The initiative is being rolled out under a multi-agency agreement that brings together Bensaid’s ministry, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Wilaya (administrative division) of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region. The collaboration signals a unified front in transforming the North African nation into a serious player in the global game development stage.
But the capital is just the beginning. Bensaid emphasised that this pilot project is a launchpad, not a landing zone. The goal is to replicate the model in other regions of the country. Morocco’s broader vision is to cultivate a nationwide gaming ecosystem tailored to local economic strengths and talent pools.
Game development, which industry
It is still unclear if this game zone move will allow talent to also indulge in the creation of slot games, or stick entirely to video game development. Only time will tell. But with this power move, Morocco isn’t just joining the game, it’s aiming to win.
