In the early minutes of Friday, Morocco officially entered the era of fifth-generation mobile communications (5G), marking a strategic turning point in the country’s digital transformation journey.
The transition from 4G to 5G is evident, especially in major cities. Telecommunication companies have launched advertisements featuring stars from the Moroccan national team, including Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, and Yassine Bounou.
This launch follows the recent approval by the government council of three draft decrees regarding the issuance of licenses to establish and operate public telecommunications networks using 5G technology, presented by the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.
According to Mustafa Baitas, the Minister in charge of relations with Parliament and government spokesman, during a press conference following the weekly council meeting, the first decree (No. 2.25.876) grants a license to “Maroc Telecom,” while the second decree (No. 2.25.877) pertains to “Medi Telecom,” and the third decree (No. 2.25.878) licenses “WANA Corporate.”
These licenses come after the competition launched by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT), in compliance with the provisions of Law No. 24.96 concerning postal services and telecommunications after its amendment and completion, and after the approval of the specifications document by the administrative committee on July 11, 2025.
Preparation Stages: From Competition to Commercial Operation
The licensing process began in May 2025, with the government announcing plans to launch 5G in November of the same year as part of the “Digital Morocco 2030” vision. This vision aims to enhance digital governance, support innovation in artificial intelligence, and expand access to digital services for all citizens.
The cities included in the initial phase are Rabat, Kenitra, Casablanca, Tangier, Fes, Marrakech, Agadir, along with their main airports. There are plans for gradual expansion to cover 45% of the population by the end of 2026 and 85% by 2030.
Estimates suggest that this launch will attract investments of up to $4-6 billion, initially focusing on major economic areas to support international events like the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025. The responsible minister has stated that investments related to this project exceed 80 billion dirhams, with a commitment to expanding coverage in rural and mountainous areas. Additionally, the new framework includes regulations for digitalization, the launch of shared national digital platforms, and the development of responsible artificial intelligence.
New Network Features: Speed and Innovation
5G technology offers internet speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, with low latency of approximately one millisecond, enabling advanced applications such as smart cities, augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, and telehealth services. In the Moroccan context, this is expected to contribute to a 1.5% annual growth in GDP and create thousands of jobs in technology and innovation fields.
