As hundreds of global entrepreneurs gather this week in Dubai for the world’s largest tech show GITEX Global, Marrakech was named as the host of the upcoming edition scheduled from May 31 to June 2, 2023.
GITEX Global is set to leave Dubai for the first time since its creation in 1981. Morocco’s strategic positioning in the tech and startup fields makes the country suitable for hosting the annual event on enterprise technology and global digital transformation.
Executive Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) and organizer of GITEX Trixie LohMirmand sealed the partnership deal on Tuesday with General Director of the Moroccan Digital Development Agency Mohammed Drissi Melyani in the UAE.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, LohMirmand said that she was confident in moving GITEX to Morocco after holding talks with local digital agencies for over a year.
“It’s time for GITEX to go there,” LohMirmand said as she cited the similarities between Morocco and Dubai including their strategic geographical locations and popular tourism reputation.
According to LohMirmand, Africa’s young population and rising mobile and internet proliferation are setting up the continent as “the next biggest digital-first economy in the world.”
Africa’s largest startup hubs are Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, which are expected to spearhead this transition as Morocco steadily expands its startup ecosystem.
If Casablanca, and other rising Moroccan startup hubs, continue to attract more aspiring entrepreneurs and venture capital, local startups are set to increase their share in the regional and continental ecosystem and help find innovative solutions to the pressing demands for food security and financial inclusion.
“Morocco may not be the biggest startup market on the continent, it’s indeed one of the ecosystems with the highest potential to lead Africa’s digital future and we are watching very closely,” says Africa lead at Global 500 Mareme Dieng.
