Latest news with #GITEXAfricaMorocco
Morocco World
a day ago
- Business
- Morocco World
E-Visa Platform Draws Half a Million Applicants, Reinforces Morocco's Global Reach
Nearly half a million people have turned to Morocco's e-visa platform over the past three years, a figure that shows the rising interest in the country and the growing impact of its digital shift in consular services. The platform processed 187,895 applications in its third year alone. The increase compared to the previous year signals that the system has reached a new level of maturity and that more travelers are choosing it as a reliable and efficient entry point to Morocco. Tourism accounts for the overwhelming majority of applications. About 94.1% of e-visas were granted for tourism purposes, confirming the platform's importance in supporting Morocco's appeal as a travel destination. About 5.9 percent of e-visas went to business travelers, showing how the platform also supports Morocco's economic ties and growing network of international partnerships. Open to 118 nationalities, the service offers two formats. The standard visa is processed within 72 hours, while the express version delivers approval in just 24. For many travelers, this efficiency has turned what was once a complex procedure into something simple and accessible. The e-visa has also proven its value during major international events held in Morocco. When the country hosted the 2023 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Marrakech, people from 109 countries used the platform. The GITEX Africa Morocco editions followed suit, welcoming participants from 118 nationalities in 2024 and 117 in 2025. Its growing success now feeds into Morocco's preparation as a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. With a system that eases entry and opens the door to more visitors, Morocco strengthens its ability to receive fans and delegates from around the world and rise to the scale of the event. Tags: E-visae-visa platformMorococVisa
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's e-visa attracts nearly Half a million applications from 118 nationalities in three years
Three years after its launch, Morocco's electronic visa (e-visa) system has proven to be an effective tool in supporting the country's growing tourism sector and international engagement, according to a recent report. The data show that out of nearly half a million applications processed since the system's rollout, 94.1% were tourism-related, confirming the e-visa's role in making Morocco more accessible to travelers. Business visas accounted for the remaining 5.9%, underscoring the system's additional value in facilitating diplomatic and economic exchanges. The third year of implementation marked a significant milestone, with 187,895 applications submitted, reflecting a sharp rise in demand compared to the previous year. According to the report, this increase demonstrates both a «maturation of the system» and growing user confidence, aided by Morocco's deliberate expansion of access to the e-visa, now available to citizens of 118 nationalities. In addition to streamlining the visa process for travelers, the e-visa system has proven highly efficient, offering a 72-hour turnaround for standard applications and 24 hours for express requests. These fast processing times have made the system a crucial asset for Morocco's ability to host major international events. Speed as a Catalyst for Global Mobility The benefits of the e-visa have been particularly evident during large-scale international gatherings. During the 2023 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Marrakech, travelers from 109 nationalities entered Morocco using the system. At the GITEX Africa Morocco forums held in 2024 and 2025, the number of participating nationalities reached 118 and 117, respectively. With Morocco set to host major upcoming events like the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup (in partnership with Spain and Portugal), the e-visa continues to serve as a vital enabler of seamless travel and logistics. At the regional level, the e-visa has also contributed to strengthening intra-African mobility, according to repeated statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad. A notable example is the evolving partnership between Morocco and Ghana, where the e-visa is already in use. The ultimate objective is to move toward full visa exemption between the two countries, further easing academic, business, and cultural exchanges. Overall, the data confirm the strategic relevance of the e-visa, described as both a modernization tool for consular services and a mechanism for enhancing tourism appeal. It is increasingly seen as a lever for positioning Morocco as a welcoming destination for travelers, investors, and international institutions alike.
Maroc
17-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Electronic Payments: Morocco Plans to Create Acquisition Support Fund for Merchants
Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) plans to establish, in the short term, an acquisition support fund to encourage merchants to accept electronic payments, announced the Director General of the Central Bank, Abderrahim Bouazza. "Among the short-term actions to strengthen the payment infrastructure, BAM intends to set up an acquisition support fund to facilitate the acceptance of electronic payments by merchants," Bouazza told MAP, on the sidelines of GITEX Africa Morocco, held from April 14 to 16 in Marrakech. Noting that digital payment adoption among merchants remains low, he stated that the Central Bank aims to implement incentive measures to encourage their adoption of the electronic payment system. In the medium term, BAM aims to leverage existing payment platforms to establish a unified instant payment platform offering a more simplified customer experience," Bouazza added. "The Central Bank is working on implementing more attractive pricing for electronic payments by lowering interchange fees, including those for bank cards, while also considering making cash usage more restrictive in the medium term. These actions will be carried out as part of a broader strategy for the digitalization of payments and fintech development, stemming from a rigorous and thorough diagnostic," he continued. This strategy encompasses several areas, notably the adaptation of the regulatory framework to establish regulation that is proportionate, flexible, yet prudent enough to manage risks. Furthermore, BAM DG addressed the issue of cash in Morocco, pointing out that the potential introduction of a digital currency, the "e-dirham," could address certain challenges, but that the project would require considerable time. "The success of this project would depend on how the public perceives the digital currency. It would need to be as credible and accessible as physical cash," he noted. Regarding crypto-assets, Bouazza stated that the draft law is currently at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which is expected to submit it to a Technical Committee to oversee its adoption process. He emphasized that the technologies underlying crypto-assets could be leveraged for the development of digital financial services. MAP: 16 avril 2025
Maroc
17-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco Embodies Image of ‘Uncomplicated, Focused on Innovation' Africa
Morocco embodies the image of an Africa that is 'uncomplicated and focused on innovation', said Leon Juste Ibonbo, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the Republic of Congo. In an interview with MAP on the sidelines of the 3rd GITEX Africa 2025, Ibombo hailed the Kingdom's dynamic technological innovation, praising Morocco's leadership in digital transformation at the African level. 'GITEX Africa Morocco is attracting not only innovators and startups, but also African decision-makers present in Marrakech,' he added, noting that this mobilization illustrates Morocco's ability to inspire and unite around structuring projects in the digital field. Turning to Africa's digital transition process, Mr. Ibombo stressed the importance of training African youth, building capacity in new technologies and promoting South-South partnerships to accelerate the continent's digital transformation. 'It is also crucial to build the capacity of African public institutions to support the digital transition in the age of AI,' he added. MAP: 16 avril 2025
Ya Biladi
14-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
GITEX Africa 2025 kicks off in Marrakech with 45,000 participants and 1,400 exhibitors
The 3rd edition of GITEX Africa kicked off in Marrakech on Monday, attracting more than 45,000 participants and over 1,400 exhibitors from more than 130 countries. The opening ceremony of this major event was marked by a pre-recorded video address from the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, and the presence of government members, national and international investors, representatives of government institutions, speakers, and personalities from various fields. This year's edition of GITEX Africa features a range of sector-specific conferences, innovative initiatives in the creative industry, and high-value networking forums. This annual event represents a new milestone in Morocco's positioning as a key platform for digital innovation in Africa. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, in partnership with the Digital Development Agency (ADD), the event aims to foster synergies between governments, investors, entrepreneurs, and digital leaders. One of the highlights of this year's event will be the «Africa Future Connectivity» summit, an exclusive platform bringing together telecom, cloud computing, and data center giants. The summit will explore the impact of broadband, 5G deployment, and cloud technologies while encouraging public-private partnerships to shape the continent's digital future. The Diaspora Studio, a space dedicated to connecting African talent on a global scale, is also planned, with the goal of fostering investment opportunities, cross-border partnerships, and the transfer of expertise between the diaspora and local technology ecosystems. GITEX Africa Morocco is also focusing on EdTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, and SportsTech, reinforcing its ambition to make technology a driver of socio-economic transformation in Africa.
