Technopark and Plug and Play forge strategic partnership to boost Moroccan startups
Morocco took another significant step toward its digital-hub ambitions today as Technopark Morocco and Plug and Play Tech Center signed a strategic partnership at Technopark headquarters in Casablanca. The Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform (MTNRA) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance have backed this partnership, reinforcing the government’s Maroc Digital 2030 strategy.
Why the partnership matters
Morocco’s startup scene has seen rapid growth, but founders often cite a lack of strong global networks and late-stage capital as major challenges. Plug and Play, known for early investments in companies like Dropbox and PayPal, brings both resources. Since its inception in 2001, Technopark has nurtured more than 1,800 young companies across IT, green tech, and creative industries.
The partnership program promises hands-on coaching, pilot projects with large corporations, and importantly, introductions to investors both inside and outside Africa.
What the leaders said
“As a global leader in innovation and investment, committed to the Moroccan technology ecosystem since its inception and convinced of its potential, this partnership with Technopark allows us to strengthen our commitment,” said Aziz El Hachem, Co-Director Africa at Plug and Play Tech Center.
El Hachem further emphasized the importance of this partnership: “We are working to co-build an ecosystem where local innovation shines well beyond borders, with a clear ambition: to support the emergence of high-potential startups and accompany them towards success on a global scale.”
He noted that Plug and Play planted roots in Casablanca five years ago, aiming to establish Morocco as the leading innovation hub in Africa. “Since then, we have managed to accelerate more than 110 different startups,” he added.
From Technopark’s side, Managing Director Lamiae Benmakhlouf framed the alliance as a natural progression after two decades of local ecosystem-building. “This strategic partnership with Plug and Play marks a new step in our mission to support Moroccan startups. It reinforces our commitment to an open, connected, and internationally oriented ecosystem,” she stated.
Benmakhlouf also elaborated on the initiative's goals: “The objective of this partnership is to implement an acceleration program for Moroccan startups with high growth and innovation potential,” she highlighted, emphasizing its alignment with the Moroccan Digital Strategy 2030.
Government support and international interest
Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister for Digital Transition and Reform of the Administration, linked the partnership to national policy, stating, “This collaboration illustrates the Kingdom’s will, through the Maroc Digital 2030 strategy, to make innovation a driver of growth, technological sovereignty, and openness.”
The United States has also shown its support for the initiative. Marissa Scott, Consul General of the United States in Casablanca, commended the partnership: “We are excited about this memorandum of understanding because it connects the technical innovation prowess of the United States with the building momentum of Morocco.”
How the program will work
Applications for the program are expected to open in July, followed by a 12-week acceleration track. The cohort will culminate in a public Demo Day in September, with pilot opportunities facilitated through Plug and Play’s network of over 550 corporate partners. Initial focus areas will include fintech, health-tech, clean energy, and smart-city solutions.
With today’s signing, all eyes will now turn to the first cohort this fall. If the Technopark–Plug and Play model proves successful, Morocco could witness a new wave of startups poised for international recognition, further establishing itself as Africa’s digital gateway.
Applications open in a matter of weeks, officially launching the race to become Morocco’s next exciting tech founder.
