Video game creation: the new emerging industry for Morocco's future
Morocco's rapidly developing technological capabilities and competitive advantage in human capital make it an ideal destination for the video game industry
Morocco has compelling arguments for becoming an international gaming powerhouse. Its digital potential (second largest outsourcing platform in Africa, first in North Africa in telecommunications infrastructure and second on the continent in electronic security) and lower costs make the country an ideal environment for the gaming and video game sector to flourish.
Morocco, a cradle of talent
The country's human capital is one of its competitive strengths. With an average age of just 29, Morocco has 180,000 university graduates per year.
This talent is also particularly competitive in the labour market, as it represents 30% of the cost of similar teams in the United States and 50% of what it would cost in Canada.
Furthermore, the fact that Morocco is geographically located in a time zone very close to Europe (UTC+1) means that working hours are very compatible with both Europe and America, which is not the case with Asian countries or other areas that have a very different time zone.
Language skills are another advantage: 44% of the population aged between 15 and 25 has a high level of English, as well as speaking French and, in the case of residents in the northern region of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Spanish.
Tax incentives and training
Added to this is a framework of tax incentives for companies setting up in Morocco, as set out in the new Investment Charter, and the simplification of bureaucratic procedures through measures such as a one-stop shop and rapid project approval.
The government has also launched ambitious and innovative plans for the development of digital talent, which are key to adapting the supply of human capital to the needs of companies establishing themselves in Morocco.
These plans include:
- The implementation, from 2023, of 144 new specific programmes taught at 12 Moroccan universities.
- An ambitious target has been set to increase the number of digital graduates from the current 8,000 to 22,500 by 2027.
- New-generation programming training has been included in the curricula of schools and colleges to prepare future university students.
Rabat Gaming City
As in other sectors, the video game industry is expected to have its own industrial zone. This is Rabat Gaming City, a complex located in the centre of the Moroccan capital, which has many advantages:
- Located near the city's main university district, facilitating synergies with universities and access for students.
- Spaces dedicated to training, R&D, technical staff, etc.
- World-class telecommunications infrastructure.
- Well connected to the public transport network.