Rabat, May 21, 2026 (MAP) – The Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and the Ambassador of the European Union to Morocco, Dimiter Tzantchev, signed on Thursday in Rabat a strategic support agreement for Morocco’s 2030 gaming industry development strategy, on the sidelines of the third edition of Morocco Gaming Expo 2026.
Through this strategy, Morocco aims to build a competitive gaming industry ecosystem capable of generating high-skilled employment opportunities and attracting international investment. Leveraging its young, digitally connected population, the Kingdom is positioning itself as an emerging gaming hub in Africa and the MENA region, according to a joint statement issued by both parties.
The support will advance three key pillars of the national strategy, beginning with the strengthening of training and education in gaming industry-related professions through university programs and vocational courses aligned with international standards. The objective is to address the sector’s growing demand for qualified talent while creating new pathways for professional integration for Moroccan youth.
This agreement also seeks to support the structuring of the gaming market through studies and strategic analyses aimed at identifying the opportunities and challenges facing Moroccan companies. These efforts are expected to help guide the measures required to accelerate the growth of the national gaming industry.
It also aims to strengthen cooperation between Moroccan and European gaming ecosystems. Indeed, business-to-business (B2B) missions and professional exchange programs are expected to foster strategic partnerships, encourage investment opportunities, and enhance collaboration with Moroccan talent trained in cutting-edge technologies.
In a press statement, Mr. Bensaid stressed that the agreement with the European Union is designed to further integrate Morocco into the European economic ecosystem, particularly as several EU member states are global leaders in the gaming industry.
He noted that this partnership will help Moroccan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) strengthen their access to European markets, while providing Moroccan entrepreneurs with the tools and mechanisms necessary to ensure the success of their projects at both the national and international levels.
The minister further emphasized that the initiative places a strong focus on cultural and creative industries by reinforcing support mechanisms for companies investing in the sector, in line with the agreements previously concluded between Morocco and the European Union.
Similarly, Mr. Tzantchev underlined that the gaming industry is among the world’s fastest-growing industries, emphasizing the European Union’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s ambition to develop an ecosystem fully integrated into international markets.
“This support fully reflects the spirit of the Pact for the Mediterranean, which aims to strengthen ties between both shores through concrete opportunities for youth, innovation, and shared value creation,” he stated.
This agreement complements the Cultural and Creative Industries Support Program launched in 2023 with a total budget of €10 million, reflecting the shared ambition of Morocco and the European Union to foster an inclusive and sustainable creative digital industry aligned with the strategic priorities and sustainable development objectives of both partners.
