Marrakech, Morocco – Marrakech has solidified its position as the central hub for African technological innovation with the official opening today, Monday, April 14, 2025, of the 3rd edition of GITEX Africa Morocco. The event is the continent’s largest trade show dedicated to digital technologies and entrepreneurship.
Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this international gathering has attracted over 1,400 exhibitors from 130 countries and features 660 prominent speakers. More than 45,000 participants are expected at this major event, where artificial intelligence is a key focus.
The opening ceremony featured a video message from Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, who welcomed the technological momentum across the continent. Numerous government officials, public and private institutions, investors, and international experts attended this pivotal event for Africa’s digital ecosystem.
Organized by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, in partnership with the Digital Development Agency (ADD), GITEX Africa Morocco 2025 aims to strengthen collaborations between governments, startups, multinationals, investors, and institutions. The program includes thematic conferences and high-level networking forums, highlighting innovations in crucial sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and sports.
A key highlight of this year’s edition is the “Africa Future Connectivity” summit, which focuses on the future of digital infrastructure. This strategic platform brings together major players in telecoms, cloud computing, and data centers to discuss the challenges of ultra-high-speed broadband, 5G, and cloud technologies. Public-private partnerships will be encouraged to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable digital future.
Another significant new addition is the launch of the Diaspora Studio, a dedicated space designed to connect African diaspora talent with the continent’s burgeoning tech ecosystems. The objective is to boost investment, facilitate skills transfer, and build bridges between local project leaders and international experts.
Simultaneously, the “Morocco 200” initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the ADD, is supporting 200 Moroccan startups selected from hundreds of applications. These young companies will receive logistical and financial support to exhibit at GITEX Africa.
Minister Ghita Mezzour Seghrouchni detailed that the selected startups will receive 95 percent of their booth rental costs, along with a 4 m² exhibition space. Preparatory bootcamps, in partnership with investors and mentors, are also planned to refine pitches, promote projects, and better understand market expectations.
Over 600 B2B meetings are scheduled between startups, investors, and institutions. The winners will also have the opportunity to compete in the Supernova Challenge, Africa’s largest pitch competition for early-stage startups, which offers a prestigious prize.
Of the 200 selected startups, 130 are first-time participants, 55 are returning after participating in 2024, and 15 have participated twice. Notably, there is strong female representation, with 34 female-led startups included in the selection, underscoring a commitment to inclusion and diversity.
In terms of thematic focus, artificial intelligence leads (13 percent), followed by logistics and mobility (11%), EdTech and FinTech (8 percent each), and HealthTech and AgriTech (7 percent each).
GITEX Africa Morocco continues until April 16, 2025, with the overarching ambition of solidifying Morocco’s position as a leading African digital hub and fostering inclusive and sustainable innovation across the continent.
MK/te/fss/abj/APA