Rabat, May 20, 2026 – On the sidelines of the 3rd edition of the Morocco Gaming Expo (MGE 2026), taking place from May 20 to 24, 2026, at the Sofitel Jardin des Roses in Rabat, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication (MJCC) signed four fundamental strategic agreements and memorandums of understanding. Simultaneously addressing academic training, innovation funding through gamification projects, child protection within the gaming industry, and digital inclusion, these cross-cutting agreements mark a decisive turning point in the emergence and consolidation of the gaming industry within the Kingdom.
In continuity with the framework agreement signed in May 2025, the MJCC and the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation (MERSI) initialed a major specific agreement. This agreement rigorously defines the implementation procedures for degree-granting training curricula exclusively dedicated to careers in the gaming industry. The objective of this institutional partnership is to equip the Kingdom with highly qualified skills capable of precisely meeting the specialized demands of a rapidly growing national ecosystem.
Concurrently, and in order to boost the national entrepreneurial ecosystem of the gaming industry, the MJCC, the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), and the Moroccan Society of Tourism Engineering (SMIT) joined forces to realize the operational deployment of the MJCC’s “Gamification Lab” program as well as SMIT’s “Leisure Gaming” program. This major partnership benefits from an overall budget of 24 million Moroccan Dirhams (MAD), including 10 million MAD provided by the MJCC (divided into 5 million in 2026 and 5 million in 2027), 10 million MAD mobilized by the CDG (also split into tranches of 5 million over 2026 and 2027), and 4 million MAD injected by SMIT in 2026. This impactful funding will actively stimulate innovation in the field of gamification, encourage Moroccan startups, and structure a leading-edge gaming leisure offer.
This sectoral dynamic also integrates a strong civic and social dimension through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the MJCC and UNICEF. This strategic partnership aims to mobilize all stakeholders in the gaming industry ecosystem around the promotion and protection of children’s rights through gaming, notably planning the organization of joint awareness campaigns, the highlight of which will be the celebration of National Child’s Day at the very heart of the Morocco Gaming Expo’s activities.
Finally, digital inclusion and the transmission of technological skills are at the center of the memorandum of understanding concluded between the MJCC, the global leader HP, and the eSTEM Morocco association. This agreement unfolds across two major axes: the implementation of a rigorous train-the-trainer program based on the “HP Gaming Garage” solution, combined with the launch of an online training offer accessible to all young holders of the “Youth Pass” within Youth Centers across the Kingdom. Through this comprehensive approach, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication reaffirms its strategic vision to make Morocco an essential hub for the gaming industry, by simultaneously investing in human capital, economic investment, and social responsibility.
The 3rd edition of the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026 (MGE) officially kicked off on the morning of Wednesday, May 20, following its official inauguration on Tuesday by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, reflecting the High Royal Solicitude bestowed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, towards the development of this promising sector and the positioning of the Kingdom of Morocco as a regional and continental player in the gaming industry and the cultural and creative industries.
During the speech delivered by the Minister of youth, culture and communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, he emphasized that the gaming industry is no longer merely a field of entertainment, but has become a strategic global industry that opens broad horizons for Moroccan youth across various sectors and represents a real opportunity for the emergence of national talents and expertise.
The first day of the Expo also featured a speech delivered by Guest of Honor Erin Roberts, who shared with the audience his experience and vision regarding the future of the gaming industry at the global level.
The Expo also serves as a platform bringing together creators, investors, companies, and experts from Morocco and abroad, contributing to strengthening the Kingdom’s position as an emerging destination in the gaming industry, in line with the Royal Vision aimed at investing in youth, the digital economy, and the professions of the future.
Rabat – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan chaired on Tuesday in Rabat the opening of the 3rd edition of the Morocco Gaming Expo (MGE 2026), a must-attend event for passioned youth, professionals and stakeholders of the gaming industry, held on May 20-24 under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him.
The inauguration of this Expo by His Royal Highness illustrates once again the continued High Solicitude that His Majesty the King, may God preserve Him, grants to the youth and the Sovereign’s steadfast commitment to their flourishing, training and openness to new technologies to fully integrate the economy of the future.
It also bears witness to the Kingdom’s determination, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty the King, may God glorify Him, to turn the gaming industry into a strategic pillar for the development of the national cultural and digital industries.
Dubbed “Moroccan Talent,” this new edition, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication – Communication Department, underlined the creativity, innovation and know-how of young Moroccan talents, who contribute to the prominence of Morocco’s image in the industry of gaming and Esports.
By fostering the development of this dynamic and highly promising ecosystem, Morocco, under the impetus of His Majesty the King, aims to create thousands of skilled jobs for its youth, encourage investment and innovation, and strengthen its competitiveness and standing in this field on the international stage. This strategic choice is part of the Royal Vision aimed at making the Kingdom a leading technological and creative hub at the continental and regional levels.
On this occasion, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan visited the exhibition platform, the true centerpiece of the Expo, which showcases the full richness and diversity of Morocco’s gaming industry ecosystem through booths, demonstrations, and meetings between enthusiasts, creators, and professionals.
Designed to reflect the dynamism of a booming industry, this platform brings together various sectors and key players, including institutions presenting public initiatives and projects that support the sector’s growth, startups showcasing their games, concepts, and innovations to the public, and funding operators meeting with young creators and project leaders to offer tailored investment solutions.
Hardware manufacturers, telecom operators, training organizations, and cloud gaming providers are also in attendance, to showcase their technologies, infrastructure, programs, and platforms designed for studios and gamers.
This third edition of the Morocco Gaming Expo also introduces new themed zones, including “MGE PlayTest” and “MGE Talks”, spaces dedicated to showcasing Moroccan talent and expertise in video game development.
His Royal Highness also visited the Arena, an eSports tournament platform that offers video game enthusiasts a unique immersive and competitive experience, bringing together amateurs and professionals for several national tournaments.
On this occasion, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan kicked off the Esports football tournament.
The Morocco Gaming Expo also features a B2B area, a professional networking platform that brings together the entire gaming industry ecosystem (studios, publishers, investors, and major industry players) and enables these operators to meet, share their projects, and generate real business opportunities.
At the heart of the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026, the Forums platform serves as a space for exchange and reflection where experts, Moroccan talent, and international gaming industry players come together.
This edition features five complementary events: the “Government Forum” to discuss public policy and international partnerships, the “Business Forum” focused on innovation and business opportunities, the “Game Safe Forum“ dedicated to security and ethics, the ”Game Engine Forum“ to explore development technologies, and the ”Game Dev Forum” reserved for creators, coders, and artists.
Through panels, masterclasses, and workshops led by Moroccan and international speakers, these forums are designed for professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts to explore industry trends, discuss key challenges, and foster new collaborations.
In an effort to offer a comprehensive and immersive experience, this edition brings together all components of the gaming and entertainment industry ecosystem, while also featuring eSports competitions and themed workshops for students, children, startups, and families.
The hosting of the 3rd edition of the Morocco Gaming Expo in Rabat reinforces UNESCO’s selection of this city as the World Book Capital 2026 (April 2026-April 2027), a recognition of the rich historical heritage of the Kingdom’s capital and a realization of the enlightened Royal Vision aimed at establishing Rabat as the City of Light, Morocco’s Capital of Culture.
Upon his arrival to the Expo site, HRH the Crown Prince reviewed a detachment of the Royal Guard that paid the honors, before being greeted by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, governor of the Rabat prefecture, Mohamed Yacoubi, the president of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra regional council, Rachid El Abdi, the president of the municipal council, Fatiha El Moudni, and the president of the Souissi district council, Adil El Atrassi.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was also greeted by the secretary general of the department of Communication of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, Abdelaziz El Bouzdaini, British developer of the “LEGO” video game franchise (guest of honor of this edition), Erin Roberts, and the Commissioner of the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026, Nissrine Souissi.
(MAP – 19 May 2026)
As part of the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026, a special workshop will be dedicated to the gaming industry developers and startups, led by Lydian feneck, CEO of Gamearly.
Lydian Feneck is a French entrepreneur operating at the intersection of gaming and live events. As the Founder and CEO of Gamearly, he is building a platform designed to structure and energize the video game ecosystem, helping studios improve game discoverability, strengthen player engagement, and increase conversion rates.
Having entered entrepreneurship at an early stage, he stands out for a direct, pragmatic, and hands-on approach. His journey reflects a constant drive to create high-impact experiences, both digital and physical, with a strong focus on execution and community. His positioning is built on three core pillars: perseverance, innovation, and community engagement, values he applies to ambitious projects aligned with the evolving dynamics of the video game market.
The workshop will take place on May 23, 2026, from 10:00 to 12:00, in the MGE Workshops area, under the theme: “How to leverage your audience as a catalyst for success?”
Access is limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure you don’t miss this opportunity, please submit your registration request to: [email protected]
To apply, please send an email including the following information:
- Full Name / Startup Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Role
Deadline for applications: May 11, 2026
Please include the workshop title in your email subject line.
Don’t miss this opportunity.
As part of the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026, a special workshop will be dedicated to the gaming industry startups, led by Ali Rguigue, Head of the Animation, Digital Arts, Gaming, and New Media Sector at FICC.
Ali Rguigue is the Founder and CEO of Artcoustic Studio, a key player committed to the growth of the animation industry. President of the Animation, Gaming & Digital Arts sector at the FICC (CGEM), holding an active role in structuring the sector.
He produced the first 100% Moroccan animation series broadcast on national channels (2M, SNRT) and internationally, as well as their export to TV5 Monde and other international channels.
Also he is the Founder of Flow Motion School, a professional training program that has enabled the integration of more than 120 young talents into these two sectors.
He develops international co-productions with France, Belgium, and Canada: Malik (presented at Cannes), as well as Harun & Mamun, the first stop-motion short film meeting international standards, and Zeriab, which will be pitched at Annecy 2026.
The workshop will take place on May 24, 2026, from 10:30 to 12:30, in the MGE Workshops area, under the theme: “Presentation of the Animation, Digital Arts, Gaming, and New Media Sector.”
Access is limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure you don’t miss this opportunity, please submit your registration request to: [email protected]
To apply, please send an email including the following information:
- Startup Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Role
Deadline for applications: May 11, 2026
Please include the workshop title in your email subject line.
Don’t miss this opportunity.
As part of the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026, a special workshop will be dedicated to the gaming industry enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, led by Mehdi Alaoui, Founder & CEO of LaStartup Station.
Born in Casablanca, Mehdi Alaoui turned technology into a tool for impact, inclusion, and empowerment. From humble beginnings, he has had a remarkable journey: an autodidact who became an engineer, entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder. His vision is to help Africa’s youth to become leaders, through entrepreneurship and education.
A pioneer of open innovation, he founded LaStartupStation, a flagship innovation hub that has facilitated more than 100+ contracts between startups and large corporates LaStartupStation also works with public institutions, through ambitious programs fostering job creation, inclusion, and the digital and green transition across the continent.
In parallel, Mehdi launched several startups, navigating through failures, learning experiences, and successful exits. This hands-on experience has given him a deep understanding of founders’ challenges and the ability to design pragmatic, inclusive, and impactful support programs.
For over a decade, he has worked to make innovation accessible to all especially to young people from underprivileged backgrounds, women entrepreneurs, and people with disabilities guided by his belief that talent knows no origin, gender, or condition. His initiatives also encourage the rise of a new generation of Green Entrepreneurs, placing technology at the heart of sustainability.
World-class institutions such as MIT, Harvard, CNN, Forbes, and Al Jazeera recognize his contribution and consider him an architect of Africa’s technological and economic transformation. His conviction: Africa’s greatest challenges are also its greatest opportunities. When innovation is inclusive and sustainable, it becomes an unstoppable force for prosperity.
To date, over 2,000 startups have been supported, 14,000 individuals trained, and more than 50,000 young people inspired across Morocco’s 12 regions. For television, he produced and hosted “Qui va investir dans mon projet?”, the official Moroccan version of Shark Tank, which became a national phenomenon, inspiring over 20 million Moroccans to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation.
By 2035, he wants to help create 100,000 jobs, inspire 100 million young Africans, and help build the first impact-driven Unicorn in Morocco.
The workshop will take place on May 23, 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00, in the MGE Workshops area, under the theme: “From Concept to Gameplay: The Art of Game Design.”
Access is limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure you don’t miss this opportunity, please submit your registration request to: [email protected]
To apply, please send an email including the following information:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Role
Deadline for applications: May 11, 2026
Please include the workshop title in your email subject line.
Don’t miss this opportunity.
As part of the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026, a special workshop will be dedicated to the gaming industry entrepreneurs, led by Marwane Fachane, General Director of the HIBA Foundation.
Marwane has been the Director General of the HIBA Foundation since 2021, where he develops initiatives to structure and energize the creative industries in Morocco. He also works towards Mediterranean and African cooperation, particularly in music and cinema, and supports young entrepreneurs within the CCI (Cultural and Creative Industries). In 2025, Marwane was appointed as a jury member for AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards). Before joining the Foundation, Marwane served as a program manager for the Drosos Foundation in Tunisia, and later as a youth and culture advisor to the President of the Special Commission on the New Development Model.
The workshop will take place on May 24, 2026, from 13:00 to 15:00, in the MGE Workshops area, under the theme: “Opportunities at the HIBA Foundation for the Gaming Industry.”
Access is limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure you don’t miss this opportunity, please submit your registration request to: [email protected]
To apply, please send an email including the following information:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Role
Deadline for applications: May 11, 2026
Please include the workshop title in your email subject line.
Don’t miss this opportunity.
In line with Morocco’s ambition to position itself as a leading African hub for the gaming industry, a new strategic milestone has been reached through the integration of gaming industry companies into the Innovation Support Fund (FSI). To this end, an amendment to the FSI agreement was signed between the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, ANPME, and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, thereby officially making gaming industry companies eligible sectors.
In continuity with this dynamic, a dedicated sub-program for the gaming industry has been launched within the framework of the national industrial innovation and R&D support program for the 2026–2028 period. Its objective is to accelerate the development of innovative projects while strengthening the competitiveness and technological capabilities of Moroccan studios and startups.
This initiative is designed as an integrated support offer covering the entire value chain of video game development. From prototyping to pilot industrialization, companies benefit from tailored financial support enabling them to turn their ideas into competitive market-ready products.
The program is structured around two complementary funding offers:
- offer 1: Prototyping Support
Financial support covering up to 70% of project costs, capped at 1 million MAD, to enable the development of functional prototypes.
- offer 2: Pilot Industrialization Support
Financial support covering up to 30% of project costs, capped at 3 million MAD, to support the transition from prototypes to industrialized and market-ready solutions.
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, together with its partners, aims to identify and support high-potential gaming industry projects capable of contributing to the development of a competitive and innovation-driven national industry.
For more informations, download the regulations for the Gaming Industry Sub-Program and explore further details:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AF1qakj30K7DT4pD2ub—drAjjVlwA3
Application form for the Video Game Industry Support Subprogram:
https://forms.gle/6eNhAffuX4vAuBZw7
Building on the growing maturity of the national gaming industry ecosystem, this challenge seeks to reach a new milestone: transitioning from a mere ideas competition to a genuine industrial incubation phase. The primary objective is to enable selected startups to deliver a Proof of Concept (POC) that can be directly integrated into inwi’s digital platforms.
Furthermore, this Challenge focuses on designing mechanics such as mini-games, community challenges, and engagement systems. Implementation will be progressive, with a priority focus on the « win by inwi » application to attract the “digital natives” segment. Following the success of this phase, the project’s scope is expected to expand to the My inwi App in a second edition.
To ensure the technical and commercial viability of the participating projects, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (MJCC) and Inwi aims to provide a thorough and complete support program. This begins with co-design workshops featuring business and digital transformation teams to align innovative solutions with real market needs.
The program also includes the showcase of functional prototypes (POCs) on the sidelines of the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026. Furthermore, a grant of 100,000 Dirhams awarded by inwi to the winning startup to finalize and launch the project’s industrial integration. To enhance the international visibility of Moroccan innovators, the program offers also the opportunity to participate in Gamescom, Europe’s premier gaming industry event.
The selection and incubation process will follow a specific agenda:
- Call for Applications Opens: Friday, April 3, 2026
- Application Deadline: Monday, April 20, 2026
- Workshop: Monday, April 27, 2026
- Final Pitch: Sunday, May 24, 2026
For more information, please consult the following link:
https://www.moroccogamingindustry.ma/challenge-startup-gaming/