Experts: Technology Enhances the Profitability of the Sports Industry in Morocco and Africa
Experts and stakeholders in the fields of sports, investment, and finance from both Moroccan and international institutions have confirmed that the development of sports technology has become a fundamental lever for enhancing the profitability of the “sports industry” in Morocco and across Africa. They emphasized that investment in this domain is driven by economic returns rather than sentiment.
This statement was made during a symposium held yesterday, Wednesday, titled “From Stadiums to Technology… How Do Major Events Inspire African Sports Technology?” as part of the third edition of the “Sportech Morocco for Games and Sports” summit, organized by “Accelab” under the supervision of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform. The aim was to showcase the promising potential of sports technology and support Moroccan startups operating in this sector.
Youness El Zoubir, the Deputy General Manager responsible for strategy, finance, and development at the Moroccan Housing and Tourism Bank (CIH BANK), pointed out that investment in the sports industry is based on clear economic foundations, affirming that “behind the sports halo lies a real economic reality that generates tangible returns.”
He added that the dynamic developments in sports infrastructure in Morocco, in preparation for hosting the World Cup in 2030, will enhance the Kingdom’s political and economic visibility on the international stage, considering that the sports industry is exceedingly profitable.
El Zoubir referred to successful international models, including the City Football Group, which owns Manchester City, transforming into a global entity opening its capital to foreign investors, along with major clubs in the English Premier League and La Liga, now managed by structures and companies worth several billion dollars.
For his part, Reda Al Araiichi, Vice President of the American group Rainbow World, highlighted the importance of investing in talent scouting using data and technology, mentioning the example of an Ivorian player discovered and analyzed digitally before being contracted, later transferring to a major European club for a record deal.
The speaker confirmed that reliance on digital data has enabled the group to achieve significant investment advantages, urging stakeholders, particularly those interested in data, to engage vigorously in this sector, which has a vast global market encompassing both professionals and amateurs alike.
In a similar vein, Salma Benaddou, founder of “Burj Finance,” asserted that sports are no longer a luxury but have become a “necessary” sector requiring investment, even though sports technology still holds a limited presence in projects presented to investment funds.
She pointed out that investors primarily focus on market size and the quality of the entrepreneur, stressing the need for a greater role from accelerators and support entities to qualify sports technology projects and align them more closely with investment standards.
Furthermore, Aziz Daouda, the Technical Director of the Confederation of African Athletics, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurs in the sports technology field possessing precise knowledge about the specifics of sports and physical activity, confirming that sports performance is based on complex physiological and mechanical foundations.
He explained that understanding these technical aspects remains a fundamental prerequisite for the success of innovative projects in the field, enabling them to provide practical solutions with real added value to the sports industry.
