Fez — Morocco has launched the second edition of the “Video Game Incubator,” a program designed to support young Moroccan entrepreneurs working in the gaming industry.
The initiative was officially unveiled on Tuesday in Rabat and will benefit 12 Moroccan entrepreneurs developing projects in video game creation and related technologies.
The program is led by Morocco’s “Ministère de la Jeunesse, de la Culture et de la Communication” (Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication) in partnership with the French Embassy in Morocco. It forms part of a broader cooperation framework aimed at developing Morocco’s video game ecosystem.
The incubator follows an intergovernmental declaration of intent signed by Morocco and France under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron. The agreement focuses on strengthening collaboration in the gaming sector and supporting innovation among Moroccan youth.
Strengthening Morocco’s gaming startup ecosystem
The program seeks to structure and accelerate the development of Morocco’s emerging gaming startup landscape.
Participants will receive targeted support aimed at improving entrepreneurial skills, refining production methods, and strengthening team management capabilities. The initiative also aims to encourage sustainable company structures and promote core business values among startups operating in the sector.
Speaking during the launch ceremony, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid said the Moroccan-French partnership was designed to deliver tangible benefits to young people.
He noted that the gaming industry is increasingly becoming a concrete economic and creative sector in Morocco.
Bensaid also highlighted Morocco’s growing presence on the international gaming map, attributing the progress to both international partnerships and the involvement of domestic industry players.
The government, he added, intends to continue supporting project leaders so that Moroccan startups can scale their operations, evolve into small and medium-sized enterprises, and eventually become major players in the gaming industry.
France supports Morocco’s gaming ambitions
France’s ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, emphasized his country’s pride in supporting Morocco’s strategy to develop its gaming sector.
The diplomat noted that only six months after the bilateral declaration of intent that launched several cooperation initiatives, early results already demonstrate the relevance of this partnership.
According to Lecourtier, the initiative provides a new generation of Moroccan entrepreneurs with the opportunity to position themselves internationally through the companies they create.
He also announced that a major French delegation will participate in the upcoming “Morocco Gaming Expo,” scheduled to take place in Rabat in May.
In addition, a seminar bringing together French institutions and experts will be organized during the same period to discuss future areas of collaboration with Moroccan gaming stakeholders.
French companies currently being selected will also be invited to explore Morocco’s gaming ecosystem as potential investors or partners, contributing to the sector’s growth.
From incubation to international exposure
The 12 selected entrepreneurs will benefit from tailored support designed by a specialized French company, working alongside international experts in the gaming industry.
Participants will receive customized training and gain access to a strategic network of major industry players.
As part of the program, the startups will present their projects during the third edition of the “Morocco Gaming Expo,” scheduled to take place in Rabat from May 20 to May 24.
The most promising projects will also gain international visibility through participation in “Gamescom,” the world-renowned video game trade fair held annually in Germany.
Set to take place in late August 2026, the event offers Moroccan startups a strategic opportunity to connect with global publishers, investors, and industry leaders as the country continues building its place in the international gaming economy.
