In Morocco, sport is deeply anchored in the social fabric and represents a powerful lever of social cohesion, an educational instrument, a vector of national pride and, above all, an essential pillar of the local economy.
Holder of a Master’s degree from the Sorbonne, specializing in issues relating to Latin America, Mathieu Sauvajot first wrote articles dealing with the geopolitics and economy of this continent, before turning to the field of sport. He is now an editor at the Sport Business Observatory.
Much more than a simple leisure activity, sport is deeply rooted in the Moroccan social fabric. This represents a powerful lever for social cohesion, an educational instrument, a vector of national pride and, above all, an essential pillar of the local economy. It is in this context that the FMPS was created in 2021, in order to answer a big question: what is the weight of this industry in Morocco?
A solid sector
A true pillar of the national economy, the private sports sector in Morocco is also synonymous with growth and development. With more than 300 companies, employing more than 11,500 employees, including 24% women, this sector generates a cumulative turnover of 21.16 billion Dirham. Not only does it play a significant role financially, but it also represents a significant share of Morocco’s gross domestic product (GDP), i.e. 1.56%. It is also important to emphasize that this contribution is not limited solely to the private sports sector. Indeed, by integrating jobs dedicated to sport in other sectors such as construction or tourism, the hiring potential to support the ambitious policy of hosting major events increases considerably. Extrapolation suggests that around 30,000 jobs could be created in these related sectors.
A study conducted by the BAM in 2021 also reveals that informal work, which already represents 30% of Morocco’s GDP, also has a significant footprint in the private sports sector. The turnover then reached 27.5 billion Dirham, or 2% of the kingdom’s GDP, accompanied by the creation of 15,000 jobs. Despite the absence of an official publication bringing together all the federations, the information available suggests the presence of at least 350,000 licensees spread over 5,000 sports associations in Morocco. However, this remains much lower than the number of “free” practitioners which, according to extrapolations, would reach 10 million Moroccans. To support this vast community, it is estimated that at least 50,000 jobs are needed in the associative sector. Ultimately, if the private sports sector (FMPS scope) in Morocco represents at least 1.56% of GDP and employs more than 11,500 people, it is legitimate to estimate that the sports industry as a whole exceeds the 2.5% you PIB and has more than 140,000 jobs. This economic vitality of the Moroccan sports sector compares favorably to that of other countries, illustrating its crucial role in the national economy.
Looking towards the future
Particularly dynamic, the Moroccan sports industry is now able to dream bigger. It is probably thanks to its growth, but also thanks to the number and quality of its infrastructures, both sporting and tourist, that Morocco has demonstrated its ability to host events of international scope. The first major event will be none other than the African Cup of Nations, in the fall of 2025. You have to go back to 1988 to have had the chance to attend such an event within the Kingdom, but since then, many things have happened. changed, starting with the performances of the national team. Fourth at the last Football World Cup, counting among the fifteen best nations in the world according to the FIFA rankings, they could well make an entire people as proud as in 1976. A seemingly distant era during which the sovereign then named Hassan II, but almost half a century later, what better tribute could the Atlas Lions pay him than by allowing his successor, Mohamed VI, to see the trophy return for a second times within the Kingdom?
An exceptional event which, however, would almost seem like a warm-up compared to a completely different deadline, planned for 2030. Although we will still have to wait until the end of next year before the decision is made official, this does not t’s no longer a secret, Morocco will be one of the main organizing countries of the Football World Cup. A strong decision, but above all a privilege; after South Africa in 2010, this will be the second time that such an event has been organized on the African continent, a symbol all the stronger as this 24th world will at the same time celebrate the centenary of the competition, in the heart from which, Morocco will then be found.
the Atlas Lions celebrated by their supporters. Panorama
