logo
Moroccan Gaming Industry Expands with Two Partnership Agreements

Moroccan Gaming Industry Expands with Two Partnership Agreements

Maroc14-05-2025
Two partnership agreements aimed at promoting the gaming industry were signed on Tuesday in Rabat between the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Culture Department), the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation and the Office for Professional Training and Work Promotion (OFPPT).
These two agreements, which are part of the national strategy to stimulate the digital economy 'Digital Morocco 2030', aim to pave the way for a video game industry in Morocco and enable young people to invest in this promising sector.
Signed by Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mehdi Bensaid and Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Azzedine El Midaoui, the first agreement covers the creation of Game Labs in public university spaces and the introduction of gaming training courses at Moroccan public universities. The courses will be given to students at technical university diploma level, bachelor's degree and master's programs.
The second agreement, inked by Bensaïd and OFPPT's Director General Loubna Tricha, aims to develop training programs in vocational training establishments. Three qualifying training courses will be launched, namely e-sport caster, e-sport streamer and video game laboratory.
In a statement to the press, Bensaid stressed that these two agreements are part of the Ministry's strategy to promote the gaming industry in Morocco, recalling that the video game market has exceeded $300 billion in revenues worldwide.
The Ministry, he continued, is working to attract foreign direct investors, encourage the creation of national companies and start-ups, and support Moroccan skills in this field.
For his part, El Midaoui detailed that the new training courses will begin in September 2025 at universities in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region, before being expanded nationwide starting the 2026-2027 academic year.
This initiative focuses on adapting university training to the needs of the gaming industry job market as well as promoting employment opportunities, he added.
In turn, Tricha expressed OFPPT's commitment to providing infrastructure and equipment needed to guarantee the success of this initiative.
MAP: 13 mai 2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Morocco and Algeria rivalry expands into energy and trade spheres, says U.S. think tanks
Morocco and Algeria rivalry expands into energy and trade spheres, says U.S. think tanks

Ya Biladi

time16 hours ago

  • Ya Biladi

Morocco and Algeria rivalry expands into energy and trade spheres, says U.S. think tanks

The long-standing rivalry between Morocco and Algeria has moved beyond traditional political and military spheres, extending into tarde economic and diplomatic domains, according to a new analysis by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The two neighbors are increasingly using «trade and the energy sector to project power, forge new alliances, and engage in strong-arm tactics against European countries», explains Hamza Meddeb, a fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center. Strategic Statecraft Through Energy and Trade According to the U.S.-based think tank, Algeria has «reshaped its position in regional and international geopolitics by aligning its food imports and energy exports with its strategic interests». This shift became apparent in 2021 when Algeria halted gas exports to Spain via Morocco amid rising tensions over the Western Sahara. Algiers has also used trade policy as a diplomatic tool, most notably when it reduced wheat imports from France following Paris's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. Morocco, by contrast, has leaned into renewable energy as a cornerstone of its geopolitical strategy. «Rabat has capitalized on Europe's energy transition and shifting alliances to present itself as a stable partner, a renewable energy leader, and a potential transit hub for West African gas», the paper states. Central to this strategy is the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, which competes with «Algeria's Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, an agreement for whose launch was signed in 2002 and which was intended to carry gas from Nigeria to Europe via Algeria and Niger». Migration policy has also become a key pillar of Morocco's statecraft. Rabat has used migration control and infrastructure investments to gain diplomatic leverage. Spain backed Morocco's autonomy plan in 2022, followed by France in 2024, moves tied to Morocco's cooperation on border security and access to its growing markets. «The reason for this about-face was Madrid's desire to secure Rabat's cooperation in curbing the flow of irregular migrants to the Spanish North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the Canary Islands, in 2020 and 2021», the think tank notes. Escalating Rivalry in the Sahel As their rivalry spreads southward, both countries are seeking greater influence in the fragile Sahel region. Algeria, feeling increasingly isolated, has sought to establish a Maghreb bloc that excludes Morocco. In April 2024, it hosted a high-level summit in Tunis with Libya and Tunisia, framed as a response to regional instability but seen as an attempt to assert regional leadership and marginalize Rabat. Morocco, meanwhile, launched the Atlantic Initiative in 2023, aimed at providing landlocked Sahel countries such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso with direct access to Atlantic trade routes via Moroccan ports. However, the think tank cautions that «Morocco needs to show that its plan is not only economically feasible, but also has significant long-term political value, as opposed to being driven by its rivalry with Algeria». The report concludes that both Morocco and Algeria are «pursuing distinct, calculated strategies to position themselves as dominant powers». But in doing so, they risk exporting their rivalry to already volatile regions like the Sahel, escalating tensions and threatening broader regional stability.

Justice Minister Ouahbi Proposes Judicial Document Delivery via Glovo
Justice Minister Ouahbi Proposes Judicial Document Delivery via Glovo

Morocco World

time16 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Justice Minister Ouahbi Proposes Judicial Document Delivery via Glovo

Marrakech – Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has proposed an unconventional solution to reduce crowding in Moroccan courts: using delivery platforms like Glovo to transport official judicial documents directly to citizens' homes. During an oral question session at the Chamber of Councilors on Tuesday, Ouahbi suggested that delivery services could bring court-issued documents such as criminal records, commercial registries, and nationality certificates straight to applicants' doorsteps. 'People will laugh at first, but they will end up benefiting from it,' Ouahbi stated confidently, acknowledging that even directors within his own ministry have mocked the idea. The minister, who is at the center of recent allegations of tax fraud following documents leaked by the Algerian hacker group Jabaroot, cited the overwhelming volume of document requests as justification for his proposal. 'Recently, we received more than 10,000 requests for criminal records in Casablanca alone,' he explained. Ouahbi drew inspiration from European models, particularly Portugal, where passports are delivered directly to citizens. He envisions motorcycle couriers ensuring secure distribution of documents to applicants' homes. Beyond administrative simplification, the minister sees this initiative as an employment opportunity for young people in urban logistics. 'This service, if well organized, could create numerous jobs while reducing queues in courts,' he said. While Ouahbi did not specify a timeline or concrete details for the project, he confirmed that partnering with a private company like Glovo remains a possibility, suggesting that discussions could be initiated soon. Glovo under fire This proposal comes amid ongoing issues surrounding Glovo in Morocco. On Monday, Glovo delivery workers protested in Casablanca against what they called a 'truncated' map of Morocco on the company's application that allegedly omitted the Sahara region. The protesters also expressed general dissatisfaction with their working conditions, including concerns about bearing all operational costs themselves while earning insufficient income. The demonstrations in Casablanca are part of several spontaneous gatherings that have occurred in different Moroccan cities since early July. Glovo Morocco responded the following day, explaining that the map issue was a 'technical anomaly' that occurred 'following a recent external update.' The company assured that the error had been addressed upon detection and that 'the map displays correctly on the application.' The company stated it operates 'across the entire national territory, from Tangier to Laayoune, with full respect for the Kingdom's territorial integrity.' Regarding the workers' concerns about lack of dialogue, Glovo Morocco contradicted this perception, stating it has 'always maintained an open dialogue policy with the courier community, provided it takes place in a respectful, constructive and transparent framework.' The company detailed that 'in recent weeks, exchange sessions were held with a hundred couriers in Casablanca in a constructive spirit.' During these meetings, Glovo claims to have 'presented and communicated concrete proposals aimed at improving the couriers' experience.' Founded in Barcelona in 2014, Glovo has rapidly expanded to become a major player in on-demand delivery. Now owned nearly 94% by German firm Delivery Hero, the company has established itself in several countries through massive fundraising, notably from Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund. Its economic model, based on the precarious status of delivery workers, faces mounting criticism. In June, European authorities fined Glovo €106 million for anti-competitive practices, including no-poaching agreements. Read also: Glovo Faces Antitrust Allegations in Morocco's Food Delivery Market Tags: Abdellatif Ouahbidelivery serviceGlovo in MoroccoMinister of Justice

Sothema Acquires Soludia Maghreb in MAD 1 Billion Deal
Sothema Acquires Soludia Maghreb in MAD 1 Billion Deal

Morocco World

time19 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Sothema Acquires Soludia Maghreb in MAD 1 Billion Deal

Marrakech – Pharmaceutical group Sothema, led by CEO Lamia Tazi, has finalized an agreement to acquire 99.99% of Soludia Maghreb's capital, valued at nearly MAD 1 billion ($100 million). The deal was reached with Soludia's historical shareholders: Abdelaziz Razkaoui, Cap Mezzanine III fund managed by CDG Invest Growth, and the Zine family. Founded in 1996, Soludia Maghreb has established itself as a leading industrial player in hemodialysis in Morocco. The company manufactures essential hemodialysis products, including powdered bicarbonate cartridges and liquid acid and bicarbonate solutions. Soludia also distributes pharmaceutical specialties for international partners and holds 40% of Hidropura Maroc, a company specializing in the installation and maintenance of acid plants and water treatment systems for hemodialysis centers. According to 2025 projections, Soludia is expected to generate revenue of MAD 360 million ($36 million) and an adjusted EBITDA of MAD 90 million ($9 million), excluding post-acquisition synergies. An additional price of MAD 95 million ($9.5 million) may be paid, contingent on meeting specific financial objectives. As part of the agreement, Abdelaziz Razkaoui will continue to serve as Soludia's CEO for a minimum period of five years, ensuring management continuity. Razkaoui and CDG Invest Growth chose to convert 80% of their shares in Soludia into Sothema shares instead of opting for a cash payment – a move that reflects their confidence in the group's long-term vision and leadership. The remaining cash payment amounts to approximately MAD 365 million ($36.5 million). Sothema has confirmed that no capital increase will be necessary to finance this transaction. A bold advance in Sothema's industrial strategy With this acquisition, Sothema estimates its 2025 consolidated revenue at about MAD 3.5 billion ($350 million) and consolidated EBITDA exceeding MAD 800 million ($80 million). This strategic acquisition represents a bold advance in Sothema's industrial strategy, reinforcing its therapeutic portfolio in a sector regarded as critical to public health, according to their press release. The deal aims to enhance national industrial capabilities in hemodialysis, expand Sothema's therapeutic portfolio in a segment with high public health impact, and increase Soludia's competitiveness in international markets, particularly in West Africa and the Middle East. Established in 1976, Sothema is a key player in the Moroccan pharmaceutical industry. The group has partnerships with around forty leading international R&D laboratories and develops its own ranges of generics, biosimilars, and medical devices, with an extensive presence across Africa and the Arab world. The completion of the transaction remains subject to the fulfillment of customary closing conditions, particularly approval from the Competition Council. The closing is expected before the end of 2025. Tags: pharmaceutical industry in MoroccoSothema

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store