Morocco Commits $8.9 Billion to Achieve 85% 5G Coverage by 2030, Driving Digital Transformation
Morocco is making an aggressive push towards its digital future, announcing a substantial investment of MAD 80 billion (approximately $8.9 billion USD) aimed at achieving 85% 5G network coverage nationwide by 2030. This ambitious undertaking forms a core pillar of the nation's "Morocco Digital 2030" strategy, designed to accelerate digital transformation, foster innovation, and stimulate economic growth across diverse sectors.
The strategic plan was unveiled by Morocco's National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) on Friday, July 25, 2025, following a pivotal board meeting in Rabat chaired by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch.
Key Aspects of Morocco's 5G and Digital Strategy:
Comprehensive Investment Scope: The estimated $8.9 billion (MAD 80 billion) investment is comprehensive, encompassing not only the extensive deployment of 5G technology but also significant expansion of fiber optic networks and the enhancement of broadband coverage, particularly targeting rural, mountainous, and underserved areas.
Aggressive Rollout Timeline: The commercial 5G rollout is slated to commence in late 2025, with an initial focus on major cities and key economic hubs. The ambitious goal is to extend 5G coverage to 85% of the population by 2030, strategically aligning with Morocco's role as a co-host of the FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
"Morocco Digital 2030" Objectives: The 5G initiative is foundational to the broader "Morocco Digital 2030" strategy, which seeks to:
Connect 5.6 million households to fiber optics.
Improve internet access quality in 1,800 rural localities, addressing digital disparities.
Promote comprehensive digital inclusion across the Kingdom for all citizens.
Leverage automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to significantly boost efficiency in both public and private sectors (e.g., e-governance, healthcare, education).
Cultivate a thriving digital ecosystem, with a target of nurturing 3,000 startups by 2030, including high-growth "Gazelles" and billion-dollar "Unicorns."
Attract international incubators and venture capitalists to bolster local innovation.
Modernize public services, aiming to reduce delays in key administrative procedures by 50% and simplify steps by 40%.
Develop a robust digital talent pool, with a target of training 100,000 digital professionals annually by 2030.
Robust Current Connectivity: Morocco already boasts a strong telecommunications foundation, with approximately 57 million mobile phone subscribers and nearly 40 million internet users. Its internet penetration rate, close to 90%, is significantly higher than the African average of 37%, positioning Morocco as a leader in digital adoption within the region.
Funding and Strategic Partnerships:
The substantial investment will be realized through a joint program involving the State and the private sector.
Morocco's leading telecom operators—Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange—have already secured 5G licenses. Recent reports indicate that the three major operators were awarded licenses for a total projected investment and operational expenses reaching nearly MAD 80 billion by 2035. Specific license fees reported include Maroc Telecom paying MAD 900 million for 120 MHz of spectrum, while Orange and Wana Corporate (Inwi) each paid MAD 600 million for 70 MHz.
In a significant move to accelerate infrastructure deployment, Maroc Telecom and Inwi formed two joint ventures earlier this year: FiberCo and TowerCo. These partnerships aim to pool resources for the rapid rollout of fiber-optic networks and 5G infrastructure, with a target of 6,000 new towers by 2033.
Orange Maroc is also actively upgrading its core network with technology from Ericsson to facilitate 5G Standalone (5G SA) deployment.
Transformative Economic Impact: The widespread adoption of 5G is expected to transcend mere faster internet speeds, unlocking transformative opportunities across diverse sectors:
Smart Cities: Enabling advanced urban traffic management and fostering the growth of smart home technologies.
Industry & Agriculture: Driving increased industrial efficiency through automation and modernizing agricultural practices with precision farming.
Healthcare & Education: Significantly enhancing digital public and administrative services, including e-health solutions and advanced e-learning platforms.
Innovation and Competitiveness: Creating an environment highly conducive to innovation, fostering competitiveness, and ensuring sustainable economic growth. International studies consistently demonstrate that even a 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration can lead to notable GDP growth, highlighting the substantial economic uplift anticipated for Morocco.
International Recognition: Morocco's progressive strides in telecommunications have garnered international recognition. The country was notably identified as the leading African nation in the 2025 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) rankings, based on the Information and Communication Technology Development Index (IDI).
Morocco's aggressive investment and comprehensive "Digital Morocco 2030" strategy unequivocally underscore its determination to establish itself as a continental leader in digital transformation and to leverage advanced telecommunications as a powerful engine for national development and an improved quality of life for its citizens.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
