Morocco Aims to Establish Itself as Africa's Gaming Leader
Morocco, a country traditionally recognized for its rich cultural heritage, artisan crafts, and historical medinas, is now ambitiously seeking to carve out a niche in a vastly different sector: the video game industry. The recent Morocco Gaming Expo held in Rabat, the nation's capital, underscored this ambition, bringing together key players in the gaming world with a clear goal: to make Morocco an essential player in Africa's gaming landscape.
Now in its third year, the Morocco Gaming Expo has solidified its status as the largest event of its kind on the African continent. This gathering not only showcases the burgeoning gaming industry but also exemplifies the Moroccan government’s strategy to foster a sector that is rapidly gaining traction. Recent figures shared during the expo indicated that the gaming industry in Morocco generated an impressive revenue of nearly €195 million last year, buoyed by a community of approximately 15 million gamers. This significant potential has prompted authorities to invest heavily in the sector, seeing it as a vital area for economic development.
Developing Talent and Infrastructure for the Future
The Moroccan government views the growth of the gaming industry as a multifaceted opportunity, addressing not only economic goals but also pressing employment challenges. Culture Minister Mehdi Bensaid emphasized the importance of this sector as an alternative solution to youth unemployment, stating, "It is a response to various issues faced globally, including job market challenges that resonate within Morocco itself." To support this ambition, several qualification and diploma programs have been launched, aiming to train 10,000 young individuals in various aspects of video game development by 2030. This initiative is designed not only to provide employment opportunities but also to promote local entrepreneurship. Early results from this policy are promising, with studios like Ivalice emerging as frontrunners in the sector. Their latest game, Rogue Fantasy, has recently been completed and showcased at the expo, highlighting the studio's commitment to innovation and growth.
At Ivalice's headquarters in the heart of Rabat, General Manager Amine Begdouri is actively seeking new talent to support the company’s expansion. The investments in training are beginning to yield results, as he notes, "We have talents trained by specialized gaming schools, as well as engineers and developers who are transitioning into this field. There are plenty of good profiles emerging." However, for Morocco to stake its claim on the international stage, further development is essential. According to Benjamin Anseaume, the director of games at Ivalice, there is a need to increase the number of local companies to foster future global successes originating from Morocco. He expressed optimism, remarking, "Out of 100 companies in the sector, only ten will truly excel. Currently, we might have five or six in Morocco, so we need a few more. But progress is being made, and I am very optimistic about our trajectory." Morocco aspires to capture a share of 1% of the global video game industry revenues, which currently stands at nearly €260 billion, significantly overshadowing both the film and music industries.
As reported by rtl.be.
