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/

As part of the implementation of the intergovernmental declaration of intent signed between Morocco and France under the chairmanship of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, in favor of developing the gaming industry ecosystem in Morocco, the second edition of the “Video Game Incubator“ program officially launched on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Initiated by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, in partnership with the French Embassy in Morocco, this initiative supports twelve Moroccan entrepreneurs working in the gaming industry.

Participants will benefit from a tailor-made program designed by the company Level Link Partners, with the support of renowned international experts. They will have access to training adapted to their needs, as well as a strategic network bringing together key players in the sector.

This program constitutes a key step in consolidating and strengthening the Moroccan ecosystem of gaming industry startups. It promotes the development of entrepreneurial skills, the optimization of production methods and processes, the building and sustainability of high-performance teams, as well as the integration and practical application of core corporate values.

The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication launched, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, the call for application for the second edition of the “Video Game Incubator” program, in partnership with the Embassy of France in Morocco and the « Institut Français du Maroc ».

This incubation program is intended for video game development studios, whether in the process of being created or already active, as well as entrepreneurs holding self-employed entrepreneurs status who are project leaders with ambitious initiatives in the gaming industry.

Participants in the second edition will benefit from tailored support through a specialized program supervised by international experts, including training modules adapted to technical and entrepreneurial needs, access to a strategic network bringing together key players in the industry, as well as participation in major gaming industry events.

Participation in the program requires completing the following application form:
(https://www.moroccogamingindustry.ma/vgi-2026/), no later than February 5, 2026.

This initiative forms part of the implementation of the intergovernmental declaration of intent signed between Morocco and France, under the presidency of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, relating to the support and structuring of the cultural and creative video game industry ecosystem in Morocco.

For more information about the program:

https://www.moroccogamingindustry.ma/vgi-2nd-edition/

The 2027 Draft Finance Bill reinforces ongoing support for the gaming industry in Morocco through projects and programs designed to structure the sector and bolster the Kingdom’s position as a regional gaming industry hub.

In this context, the bill includes the continued development of the Rabat Gaming City, with a total cost of 460 million dirhams—160 million dirhams of which have already been released—aimed at providing a favorable environment for video game development studios and startups, as well as attracting investment.

It also provides for the continued rollout of the “Gamification Lab” program in partnership with CDG Invest, with a total budget of 10 million dirhams over the 2027–2029 period. This initiative aims to support gamification solutions developed by Moroccan studios and cultivate talent across digital professions.

These initiatives fall within broader efforts to develop Morocco’s video game ecosystem, foster innovation and investment, and create new opportunities for Moroccan youth and businesses.

Casablanca hosted the Morocco–U.S. Summit on Intellectual Property in the Creative Industries on October 15–16. Organized by the U.S. Mission to Morocco and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in partnership with the American Cultural Association, the summit aimed to strengthen protection for creators and support the economic development of cultural and creative sectors.

Bringing together around 20 Moroccan and American experts and more than 130 entrepreneurs, the event served as a platform to exchange expertise on rights protection, content marketing, and commercial licensing practices. The program featured specialized workshops on rights related to video games and the challenges posed by the misuse of artificial intelligence. Key participants included the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), alongside leading specialized institutions and organizations.

The summit highlighted the critical role of intellectual property in safeguarding the value of game developers’ creations, attracting investment, and facilitating international market access for Moroccan projects.

A new milestone has been reached for Morocco’s gaming industry. For the first time, Morocco officially participated in Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, with an institutional delegation and 11 Moroccan studios brought together within the Moroccan pavilion.

At one of the world’s leading events for the video game industry, Moroccan studios showcased their creations, expertise, and ambitions to an international professional audience. Their participation provided an opportunity to engage with publishers, investors, studios, and institutions from around the world.

Throughout the event, new opportunities emerged for Moroccan industry Stakeholders, particularly in the areas of partnerships, investment, co-productions, international collaborations, and access to new markets. This momentum reflects the growing interest in the potential of Morocco’s gaming ecosystem.

Beyond showcasing projects and talent, Morocco’s presence at Gamescom carried a broader ambition : to strengthen the country’s position within the global gaming industry and consolidate its role as an emerging player in Africa and the MENA region.

This first official participation therefore marked an important step in opening up Morocco’s gaming industry to the international scene. It provided the Kingdom’s studios and talents with a new platform to showcase their creativity, build connections with international industry players, and promote Moroccan expertise on the global stage.

The 2027 Draft Finance Bill reinforces ongoing support for the gaming industry in Morocco through projects and programs designed to structure the sector and bolster the Kingdom’s position as a regional gaming industry hub.

In this context, the bill includes the continued development of the Rabat Gaming City, with a total cost of 460 million dirhams—160 million dirhams of which have already been released—aimed at providing a favorable environment for video game development studios and startups, as well as attracting investment.

It also provides for the continued rollout of the “Gamification Lab” program in partnership with CDG Invest, with a total budget of 10 million dirhams over the 2027–2029 period. This initiative aims to support gamification solutions developed by Moroccan studios and cultivate talent across digital professions.

These initiatives fall within broader efforts to develop Morocco’s video game ecosystem, foster innovation and investment, and create new opportunities for Moroccan youth and businesses.

On April 16, on the sidelines of GITEX AFRICA in Marrakech, Minister Mehdi Bensaid signed a partnership agreement with OneCloud to strengthen the video game industry in Morocco, particularly through the upcoming Video Game City in Rabat. The agreement aims to jointly develop cloud gaming solutions tailored to the ecosystem of companies operating in the video game sector.

On March 3, 2025, Minister Mehdi Bensaid met with Mr. Hans Kornhaedie Saleh, Head of Garena for the Middle East. Garena is a globally renowned video game publisher, best known for its hit mobile game Free Fire, one of the most popular mobile games worldwide. During the meeting, Mr. Saleh highlighted Morocco’s growing momentum in developing the video game industry and presented his project aimed at supporting the expansion of Garena’s activities within the Kingdom.

The Royal Moroccan Federation of Electronic Games announced that three Moroccan players have qualified for EA FC Pro Open 2027, the largest tournament on the EA SPORTS FC Pro circuit.

Nassim “NASSADA” Dahman, Walid “QRNA” Hadaoui, and Karim “KARIMISBAK” Rmaiti are among the 24 players who qualified. With three players in the field, Morocco is the second-most represented country in the tournament.

The qualification follows the participation of three Moroccan players in the EA FC competition at the 2026 Esports World Cup.

The Royal Moroccan Federation of Electronic Games, welcomed a PUBG Mobile delegation from China’s Tencent Esports to exchange views on the esports ecosystem and explore opportunities for cooperation.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen ties with international industry stakeholders, reflecting the Federation’s efforts to engage with international expertise and advance Morocco’s presence on the global esports stage.

The Royal Moroccan Federation of Electronic Games, in partnership with FIFAe (FIFA’s esports division), organized a specialized training program in esports refereeing, enabling participants to contribute to the organization of the FIFAe Continental Championship 2026 Africa. The program concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants.

This initiative forms part of efforts to develop national competencies and improve esports supervision and refereeing standards, supporting more professional competitions and high organizational standards through local expertise.