Morocco Pledges More Sports Infrastructure Projects as AFCON, World Cup Approach
Rabat – President of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) Fouzi Lekjaa emphasized the importance of organizing sporting events to boost the country's economic development.
Lekjaa made his remarks on Tuesday as part of the 2025 Global Growth Conference (GGC), where he participated in a panel to discuss Morocco's efforts in upgrading the country's infrastructure and development programs in anticipation of major sports events like the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 World Cup.
During the event, Lekjaa reviewed the major events Morocco will host between 2025 and 2030, including the WAFCON, which will take place from July 5-26, the FIFA U17 Women World Cup between October and November and the AFCON from December 21 to January 18.
'Morocco will continue to host major sporting events leading up to the 2030 World Cup,' he said, adding that similar major events require the upgrading of road, airport, and football infrastructure.
For Lekjaa, who is also the minister delegate for the budget, similar projects represent investment opportunities worth billions of dollars.
The opportunities also cover other sectors like tourism and accommodation capacity among others.
'In this investment puzzle, we have a menu of Inclusive projects,' he said, noting that the plans also include different specialties and professions, which will enable all economic operators, including startups and multinational companies to have a share in the added value generated.
'Beyond the importance of funding, this will allow for groupings and surgeries between companies and the business world,' Lekjaa added.
The minister also talked about Morocco's World Cup preparation campaign, noting that the North African country considers the global tournament as an African world cup, from which 'we will take the opportunity to show that youth on both sides of the Mediterranean can exchange, coexist, and work together.'
Bouchra Hajij, president of the Royal Moroccan Volleyball Federation and the African Volleyball Confederation also commented on the country's efforts to boost the development of the sports sector, noting that this domain is an important lever for economic development.
She said that sport is also a 'vector for social cohesion and economic and cultural development.'
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