Morocco is planning to double its hotel capacity with the addition of 1.5 million new rooms ahead of an anticipated 26 million tourists by 2030, creating multi-billion dollar opportunities for Dubai investors ahead of the FIFA World Cup, officials revealed to Arabian Business.
With over $50 billion in investments being lined up for World Cup-related projects including infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, and tourism developments, the North African nation is leaning on Dubai’s expertise to achieve its transformational vision.
Speaking to Arabian Business at the Casablanca HQ of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) last week, Anas Guennoun, Vice President of CGEM and new head of the UAE-Morocco Business Council, revealed that the North African country is looking to Dubai’s expertise in hosting world-class mega events.
“We have over $50 billion investment program that is only being dedicated for the World Cup…And obviously, this cannot be done without a partner,” he said.
With its proven track record in delivering world-class hospitality, real estate and infrastructure projects, Dubai is viewed as the ideal partner to help Morocco construct mega-developments like the world’s largest stadium planned for the Ben Slimane region near Casablanca, said Guennoun.
“When you think of partners, especially when it comes to Morocco, the top country that pops up is the United Arab Emirates,” said Guennoun. “This MoU is evidence that the private sector will be fully involved in this big partnership between our two countries.”
Dubai-Morocco trade collaboration
The Dubai Chambers trade mission to Morocco last week saw four memorandums of understanding signed with key Moroccan organisations to facilitate cooperation between business communities in both markets across sectors like renewable energy, digital technology, and tourism/hospitality infrastructure.
“We are targeting to double the number of tourists to reach 25-26 million by 2030…Dubai is a shining example and has become a hub for startups, the digital economy, and technology industry, so we would love to see how we can build an IT ecosystem in Morocco,” Guennoun added.
His comments came almost a week after the conclusion of a successful GITEX Africa.
“Last week, we had GITEX, which is a UAE organisation, in its second edition. The first edition we had roughly 15,000 visitors and last week we had double or maybe more visitors with so many companies having presence on the ground, meeting people and investors,” he added.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in football will also be hosted in Morocco next year. “Dubai’s expertise is key for Morocco,” he said.
Hassane Berkani, President of the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the need for major hospitality investments to meet the 1.5 million room target.
“Strong interest has been shown in promoting collaboration in the travel, hospitality, and real estate industries…exciting opportunities exist for building stadiums, hotels and other properties,” Berkani said on the sidelines of Dubai Chambers’ New Horizons event in Casablanca as part of its trade mission to Senegal and Morocco last week.
World Cup investments
He confirmed high anticipation of Dubai’s investment into Morocco’s World Cup plans. “It is expected that a large number of Emirati businesses will be operating in Morocco in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup. The goal is to draw in businesses that are experts in infrastructure and event planning.”
The deepening hospitality and tourism partnership builds on decades of close fraternal ties between Morocco and the UAE, with the Emirates already Morocco’s largest Arab investor at over $30 billion – a figure expected to double following major agreements signed in late 2023.
Guennoun emphasised the private sector’s commitment to the UAE-Morocco economic relationship, facilitated by the two nations’ leadership. “Our countries signed cooperation agreements in December 2023 to enhance the partnership and accelerate investment programs between our two countries.”
From developing new tourism hubs and smart cities to renewable energy installations and digital transformation, both nations are aligned on leveraging Dubai’s expertise to support Morocco’s economic vision and delivery of a historic World Cup in 2030.
“We just need to make sure that is going to happen and this MoU is precisely to make sure the strong ties between the two royal families are translated into real business opportunities,” Guennoun stated.
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