Casablanca – In 2023, Morocco achieved a remarkable position in digital service exports, ranking among the top three African nations alongside Ghana and South Africa. This success brought in $6.43 billion in revenue, fueled by a strong demand for telecommunications, financial services, and other digitally delivered services, as reported by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Compared to 2022, when the nation reached $5.3 billion, Morocco’s digital export industry has made remarkable strides, boosting the country’s global export market share from 0.14% to 0.15% by the end of 2023. Imports in this sector also grew, reaching $2.65 billion, although the country’s global share in digital service imports remains stable at 0.07%.

Morocco now contributes a significant share—almost a sixth—of Africa’s digital service exports, with the continent-wide total climbing to $36.79 billion, up from $32.62 billion in 2022. On the import front, Africa’s appetite for digital services remains strong, amounting to $55.66 billion, though slightly reduced from the previous year.

A recent joint study by the World Bank and WTO attributes Morocco’s rapid digital export growth to its foundational role as a continental leader, with Morocco, Ghana, and South Africa alone accounting for over half of Africa’s digital service exports. Moreover, Morocco ranks alongside Ghana and Egypt in annual growth rates, with an impressive average of 9% from 2005 to 2022, which is expected to accelerate as digital services across Africa continue to expand. According to the study, Africa’s digital exports could increase by $74 billion by 2040, potentially doubling its share in the global market.

Breaking down Morocco’s digital exports, the most significant areas include business and professional services, telecommunications, and IT. Engineering outsourcing is flourishing, covering services like software development, electronic design, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering, with these areas achieving a remarkable 35% growth between 2019 and 2022.

Several factors underlie Morocco’s success in digital exports. The country boasts a reliable telecom infrastructure, widespread high-speed internet, and a highly skilled IT workforce, with expertise in areas like software development, network design, and digital modeling. Morocco’s strategic geographic position, along with its competitive cost structure, favorable tax policies, and cultural and linguistic ties, has made it an attractive destination for international outsourcing.

As digital service demand continues to grow, Morocco’s strong foundation and strategic advantages could position it to not only keep pace but excel on the African and global stage, solidifying its role as a central player in digital transformation across the continent.