Morocco has officially entered the 5G era with the awarding of licenses to the country’s three main telecommunications operators — Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange — as part of a sweeping digital transformation plan.
The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) confirmed on Thursday, July 25, that Maroc Telecom has secured 120 MHz of bandwidth for 900 million dirhams (around €83 million, including taxes). Inwi and Orange each obtained 70 MHz, paying 600 million dirhams (about €55.5 million) apiece.
The distribution reflects the volume of spectrum acquired under ANRT’s call for applications, but all three providers will ultimately hold equivalent bandwidth of 120 MHz as additional frequencies are released gradually.
The licenses come with strict conditions, including mandatory coverage of at least eight cities before any commercial rollout. Operators must also meet rigorous standards for service quality, network resilience, and cybersecurity.
Morocco’s 5G strategy targets ambitious national coverage milestones: 45% of the country by 2026 and 85% by 2030. The initiative is underpinned by a decade-long investment plan worth 80 billion dirhams (approximately €7.4 billion).
Officials believe the introduction of 5G will be a cornerstone for Morocco’s economic and technological ambitions, accelerating digitalization across industries such as manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and public services. It is also expected to enhance Morocco’s competitiveness across African and global markets.
The 5G rollout marks a significant step in Rabat’s efforts to position Morocco as a regional leader in next-generation connectivity, with authorities predicting widespread benefits for innovation, job creation, and economic growth in the years ahead.
About The Author
