Rabat – Morocco is consolidating its appeal as a prime destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), with a growing focus on the automotive and green hydrogen sectors.
The 2025 finance bill report from the Ministry of Economy and Finance underlines Morocco’s promising outlook, with several key projects on the horizon.
Notably, Chinese tech giant Gotion announced plans in June 2023 to invest $6.4 billion in building an electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant. At the same time, Morocco is advancing its green hydrogen sector, following the March 2024 launch of the “Morocco Offer” looking to foster growth in this field.
FDI trends and sector distribution
Despite recent progress, Morocco saw a 52% drop in net FDI in 2023, falling to MAD 11.1 billion ($1.1 billion), as reported by the Office des Changes. This decline was due to a 14% decrease in revenues, which fell to MAD 34.6 billion ($3.4 billion), while expenses increased by 35.8% to MAD 23.5 billion ($2.3 billion).
In 2023, France led the way in foreign investments, accounting for 33% of the total, followed by the UAE (10%), the UK (8%), and Spain (7%). The industrial and real estate sectors were the primary recipients, attracting 38% and 22% of FDI, with transport, energy, mining, and tourism also contributing.
However, FDI in 2024 has seen a notable recovery. Over the first eight months, it grew by 55.1%, with revenues rising to MAD 25.4 billion ($2.5 billion) and expenses decreasing to MAD 10 billion ($1 billion).
Sports infrastructure upgrades ahead of AFCON and World Cup
In addition to attracting foreign investments, Morocco is undertaking large-scale upgrades to its sports infrastructure ahead of hosting two major events: the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted with Spain and Portugal.
The country has launched projects to renovate football stadiums in Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier, alongside plans to construct a new 115,000-seat stadium in Benslimane. These initiatives, with an estimated budget of MAD 20 billion ($2 billion), strive to modernize facilities in order to meet international standards.
Upgrades at the Grand Stade de Tanger will include the removal of the athletics track, installation of a roof, construction of underground parking, and the addition of training fields.
The Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat will be expanded to accommodate 68,403 spectators and will be fully covered. Other stadiums in Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir will see comprehensive renovations to seating areas, locker rooms, and technical systems like lighting and security.
Investment in local sports facilities
The new bill also earmarks MAD 300 million ($30 million) for football infrastructure upgrades, with MAD 70 million ($7 million) allocated to building local football fields in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region. Casablanca-Settat will receive MAD 128.8 million ($12.8 million) for the creation and renovation of neighborhood sports facilities.
Moreover, MAD 48 million ($ 4.8 million) will go toward constructing 80 multi-use courts designed for basketball, volleyball, skateboarding, and pétanque in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra. Larger projects include the construction of the “Futur Rabat ARENA” sports hall, budgeted at MAD 270 million ($27 million), and upgrades to the Taza municipal football stadium, costing MAD 30 million ($3 million).
A total of MAD 305 million ($30.5 million) will be directed to the National Sports Development Fund, with another MAD 40 million ($4 million) supporting elite sports programs and MAD 85 million ($8.5 million) allocated to the development of athletics facilities.
