Gaming in Morocco: The Government Launches the Innovation Support Fund
The video game industry is now benefiting from expanded access to public funding mechanisms for innovation. This marks a significant step towards Morocco’s ambition of becoming an African gaming hub.
The Moroccan gaming sector is reaching a new milestone in its development. The government has just integrated the video game industry into the Innovation Support Fund (ISF), allowing companies in this sector to access public support ranging from prototype development to the experimental production phase.
This initiative is part of the 2026-2028 Innovation Support Program, launched by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The aim is to identify the most promising projects and facilitate their access to dedicated innovation funding mechanisms.
Up to 1 Million Dirhams for Prototyping
The new framework first provides assistance for the prototyping phase. The state can cover up to 70% of the project’s cost, with a ceiling set at 1 million dirhams per initiative.
This fund particularly targets companies developing innovative products, technologies, or solutions in the video game industry.
A second mechanism pertains to the pilot manufacturing phase. In this case, public support can reach 30% of the project’s cost, with a ceiling of 3 million dirhams.
These two components are designed to enable gaming companies to navigate more easily through the various stages from the initial idea to design and experimental production.
A Framework Supported by Multiple Public Actors
The opening of the ISF to the gaming sector is part of the new version of the fund, expanded through an amendment to the agreement covering the period from 2026 to 2028.
The initiative does not rely solely on the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Multiple institutional partners are involved, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, the National Agency for SME Promotion, as well as the CGEM.
This mobilization reflects the public authorities’ commitment to further structuring the Moroccan video game ecosystem and strengthening its integration into the national innovation strategy.
Morocco Aims to Harness Its Young Talent
Beyond financing, the government plans to leverage the Kingdom’s human potential. Morocco has a significant pool of young talent in digital fields, IT development, and digital creativity.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade aims to position the Kingdom as a regional platform for the video game industry, capable of attracting both startups and developers as well as international investors.
Thus, the inclusion of the ISF for gaming represents a new tool to encourage the emergence of Moroccan companies capable of developing their own creations and positioning themselves in international markets.
A Gaming Strategy Launched Over Several Years
This new measure fits within a strategy that Moroccan authorities have gradually initiated.
In 2024, a platform dedicated to the Moroccan gaming ecosystem was launched to connect developers, startups, and investors. In March 2026, the second edition of the “Gaming Incubator” program also supported 12 entrepreneurs, in partnership with the French embassy.
The Morocco Gaming Expo is also one of the key events dedicated to the development of this industry in Morocco, aimed at creating more links between Moroccan creators and international stakeholders in the sector.
A Future Video Game Industry Hub in Rabat
The government also plans several other initiatives to support the structuring of the sector.
Among these is the establishment of a “Video Game Industry Hub” in Rabat, alongside the development of new training and incubation programs.
The authorities also plan to strengthen financing mechanisms and continue organizing the Moroccan Gaming Show to increase visibility for national players.
Gaming Poised to Become a Pillar of the Digital Economy
With the integration of gaming into the Innovation Support Fund, Morocco is seeking to shift from a model of sporadic support to a genuine industrial strategy for the sector.
Funding for prototyping, assisting pilot phases, training, incubation, and the establishment of specialized infrastructure are expected to help foster a more structured ecosystem.
Through these various initiatives, the Kingdom clearly expresses its ambition: to make video gaming a fully-fledged sector of its digital economy and to strengthen its position as an African gaming hub.
