• Morocco partners with Keiretsu Forum to boost startup investment by 2030
  

• Deal supports Digital Morocco 2030; aims for 6,000 certified startups
  

• Strategy targets ecosystem gaps, late-stage funding, and global integration
  

Morocco signed a partnership agreement on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, with Keiretsu Forum MENA, one of the world’s largest private investor networks with roots in Silicon Valley. The move is a key component of the country’s plan to attract investment, aiming to raise 2 billion dirhams ($215.5 million) for startups by 2026 and 7 billion dirhams ($754 million) by 2030, under its Digital Morocco 2030 strategy.

Amal El Fallah-Seghrouchni, Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, stated that the collaboration represents a major step toward strengthening connections between Moroccan startups and international investors. She added that the partnership will help drive the growth of the digital economy, support value creation, and integrate Moroccan entrepreneurs into global innovation networks.

As part of its digital transformation agenda, Morocco is preparing several specific measures to boost the startup ecosystem. These include rolling out a dedicated national policy, launching an official "startup label" certification, supporting international expansion, and raising the cap on foreign-currency accounts. Financing will be strengthened across all stages through living stipends and incubation grants, honor loans, seed loans, and establishing a more favorable framework for venture-capital investors.

Morocco also plans to improve support structures by attracting international incubators, reinforcing local organizations, and creating specialized programs for sectors like fintech, edtech, healthtech, and govtech. Market access will be expanded through a national-preference policy for "Made in Morocco" products, easier access to public procurement, and enhanced international promotion.

The government aims to certify 3,000 startups by 2026 and another 3,000 by 2030, a sharp increase from just 380 in 2022. It also hopes to develop 10 high-growth “gazelles” by 2026 and one or two unicorns by 2030. More broadly, Morocco aims to become a major developer of digital solutions, with the sector contributing 100 billion dirhams to the national GDP by 2030.

According to the 2024 Morocco Startup Ecosystem Report from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Moroccan startups raised $94.96 million in 2024, up from $33.26 million in 2023 and $26.2 million in 2022. This ranked the country sixth in terms of funding raised in Africa. Yet, the report pointed at several structural constraints, including limited late-stage financing (Series A/B), few exit options for investors, and persistent regional and gender imbalances.

To sustain momentum, the report recommends expanding late-stage financing by attracting international investors and consolidating local funds capable of supporting companies through the scale-up phase. It also highlights the need to expand exit pathways, especially through mergers and acquisitions, to support a cycle of reinvestment. The report further calls for stronger support for women entrepreneurs and a more assertive strategy in emerging sectors such as AI, climate tech, and deeptech, along with deeper integration into Africa’s technology networks.

Isaac K. Kassouwi