Casablanca Mentioned as Morocco Opens Calls for Startups Ahead of GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2026

Casablanca has surfaced in recent coverage as Morocco opened a call for innovative startups tied to the 4th edition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco, scheduled for April 7–9, 2026 in Marrakech. Organizers say the event will proceed under Royal Patronage and is being staged “under the authority of the Ministry of the Transition Numérique and the Reform of the Administration,” with logistical leadership from the national digital development agency (ADD) and private partnership from KAOUN International, a subsidiary of the Dubai World Trade Centre. The announcement, first reported by FilmoGaz, frames the conference as a continental technology and innovation hub and invites startups to apply for participation.

"Casablanca appears in recent headlines as Morocco launches an open call for innovative startups linked to the 4th edition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco," wrote Taylor Keatsman for FilmoGaz, noting the city's prominence in the national conversation even though Marrakech will host the physical event.

Context and details

The FilmoGaz summary emphasizes Marrakech as the host city but highlights a broader ambition to involve multiple Moroccan ecosystems, with Casablanca receiving particular attention in public discourse. The report states that while the main event will take place in Marrakech, the open call aims "to galvanize innovation across multiple Moroccan cities and ecosystems, with Casablanca appearing prominently in public attention as part of that wider ecosystem." Specific roles or programs tied to Casablanca were not detailed in the brief.

Organizers named in the announcement position the event within an official institutional framework: the Ministry of the Transition Numérique and the Reform of the Administration will supervise the event, the national digital development agency (ADD) will lead logistics, and KAOUN International — described in the release as a subsidiary of the Dubai World Trade Centre — will act as the private partner. The statement highlights the open call for startups but stops short of providing procedural details.

• The 4th edition dates: April 7–9, 2026, in Marrakech.
• Event status: proceeding under Royal Patronage.
• Organizers: Ministry of the Transition Numérique and the Reform of the Administration; logistical lead: ADD; private partner: KAOUN International (Dubai World Trade Centre subsidiary).
• Public notice: open call for innovative startups; selection criteria and deadlines were not specified in the initial brief.

Outlook

FilmoGaz cautions that "the call for startups signals organizers’ intent to populate the program with entrepreneurial projects, though the available details do not specify selection criteria, deadlines beyond the announcement, or the mechanics of participation." Startups interested in applying are advised to prepare concise pitches, one-page product-market-fit summaries, and documentation demonstrating scalability and relevance to African markets, as the announcement frames the event with continental ambitions. Observers and applicants should monitor official channels from the Ministry, ADD, and KAOUN International for forthcoming procedural information on application windows, eligibility rules, and submission requirements.