• Morocco launches second “Video Game Creator” training programme with France

• Nine-month certified course aims to build national gaming talent

• Strategy targets regional hub as Africa’s gaming market expands

Moroccan authorities on Monday launched the second edition of the “Video Game Creator” programme, an initiative designed to train young professionals for careers in video game development.

The programme is being run in partnership with France as part of a broader strategy to develop a national gaming industry and position Morocco as a regional hub for the sector.

It is built around a nine-month certified training course, including three months of hands-on instruction at the Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions (ISMAC) in Rabat. The training is supervised by experts from ISART Digital, a French institution specialising in video game education.

The move follows the recent launch of the “Gamification Lab” programme, which aims to support local production through the creation of a national platform tasked with promoting and sourcing gamification solutions developed by Moroccan start-ups.

In May, two agreements were signed to strengthen training in gaming-related fields. One focuses on introducing university curricula dedicated to video games, while the other establishes three professional tracks: e-sports caster, e-sports streamer and video game laboratory technician.

Beyond these initiatives, Morocco is pursuing a national strategy built around several key pillars. These include strengthening specialised infrastructure through the creation of “Rabat Gaming City”, the rollout of dedicated services, and the development of other gaming-focused zones.

Training remains a central component of the plan, through the identification of priority sectors, the structuring of existing programmes and the implementation of a coherent nationwide deployment strategy.

At the same time, authorities aim to foster an attractive environment for investors by introducing tailored financing options, mechanisms to attract foreign capital and incubation support for the gaming industry.

The push is backed by a communication and promotion strategy, notably through the organisation of the “Morocco Gaming Expo” and visibility efforts at both national and international levels.

A fast-growing African market

The strategy comes as Africa’s video game market continues to expand rapidly. According to a report published in February 2025 by publisher Carry1st and research firm Newzoo, the African market reached $1.8 billion in 2024, up 12.4% year-on-year, compared with global growth limited to 2.1%.

Mordor Intelligence estimates that the African market will reach $2.29 billion in 2026 and is projected to hit $4.1 billion by 2030. Growth is being driven by rising smartphone adoption, lower data costs, the expansion of mobile payments, the emergence of national e-sports leagues and the rollout of cloud gaming infrastructure.

At the national level, a study commissioned by the Ministry of Communication projects that by 2030 Morocco’s video game creation ecosystem could export 94% of its production.

According to figures relayed by Statista, revenues in Morocco’s gaming market were estimated at $277.3 million in 2024, compared with $218.5 million in 2023.

Isaac K. Kassouwi