Morocco wants more young people to build video games, not just play them. The government has signed four new agreements to grow the gaming sector.
The deals were announced on Wednesday in Rabat during the third edition of the Morocco Gaming Expo. They focus on training, startups, child safety and widening access to digital skills.
One key agreement is with the Ministry of Higher Education. It will create degree courses in video game careers to train nearly 4,000 specialists by 2029, from technicians to engineers and researchers.
Azzedine El Midaoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, said: “The aim is to build an organised local production, based on solid foundations and capable of covering the entire value chain.”
He warned that Morocco should not be a country that mainly consumes imported games, especially as many young people spend time on foreign content.
Another deal brings together the Communication Department, the Caisse de dépôt et de gestion and the Société marocaine d’ingénierie touristique. It will support startups, back new ideas and help grow gaming as a leisure activity.
Khalid Safir, Managing Director (Director General) of the Caisse de dépôt et de gestion (CDG), said: “The objective is to facilitate access to public markets and help them secure funding to develop their products in Morocco and internationally.”
The ministry has also signed a deal with UNICEF to promote children’s rights in gaming. Campaigns will be organised, including during National Children’s Day.
Laura Bill, UNICEF Representative to Morocco, said the aim is “to place child protection at the heart of the gaming world,” and stressed the need for a safe space for children as digital use grows.
A fourth agreement with Hewlett-Packard and eSTEM Morocco will train trainers using the HP Gaming Garage platform. Young people will also get access to online courses through youth centres and the Pass Jeunes programme.
Salah Ouardi, Managing Director for Morocco at Hewlett-Packard (HP), said the company wants to expand digital access. “The agreement will allow more young people in Morocco to join the gaming ecosystem and benefit from support to strengthen their skills.”
Nezha Larhrissi, Co-founder and President of eSTEM Morocco., said gaming could play a big role in Morocco’s creative economy. She said training and workshops will be rolled out across the country.
