Morocco Venture Forum 2026 Connects Global Investors with Local VC Ecosystem
Casablanca, The Gulf Observer: The inaugural “Morocco Venture Forum 2026” brought together global limited partners (LPs) and Moroccan general partners (GPs) at Technopark Casablanca on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s venture capital ecosystem and attracting international investment.
Organized by Silicon Badia, Plug and Play, and Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, the forum served as a strategic platform to bridge global capital providers with emerging local and regional venture capital firms.
The event featured a series of panel discussions and curated networking sessions, focusing on capital formation, ecosystem development, and investment readiness. It aimed to foster direct engagement between international institutional investors and Moroccan fund managers, creating opportunities for future partnerships and cross-border investments.
In an interview with Morocco World News, Halima Zahzah highlighted the forum’s objective of accelerating capital inflows into Morocco’s startup ecosystem. She emphasized the need to transition from a “promising ecosystem” to a globally competitive investment hub.
Discussions during the forum underscored that startups increasingly seek more than just financial backing. Founders emphasized the importance of value-added investors who can provide strategic guidance, access to international networks, and operational support to help scale businesses. Participants noted that passive investment models offer limited benefits in rapidly evolving startup environments.
Speakers also acknowledged that building such value-driven venture capital capabilities requires time, particularly in emerging markets. They stressed the importance of supporting the growth of new funds and allowing them to develop experience, networks, and expertise organically.
The forum further explored Morocco’s broader venture landscape, highlighting its strengths, including a skilled talent pool, cost competitiveness, and rising entrepreneurial ambition. However, participants also pointed to structural challenges such as limited access to growth-stage capital, the need for a stronger global outlook, and complexities in scaling internationally.
On the sidelines of the event, Erass Majdoubeh noted increasing alignment between local and global investors, describing it as a positive signal for the ecosystem’s future. He highlighted Silicon Badia’s continued focus on supporting local founders in expanding into regional and international markets.
The forum concluded with a shared consensus on the need to enhance trust across the ecosystem, streamline international operations for startups, and deepen collaboration between stakeholders to position Morocco as a competitive and globally connected venture capital hub.
