Morocco Taps 500 Global to Fuel its Ambitious 2030 Tech Vision

CASABLANCA, Morocco – December 18, 2025 – In a significant move to accelerate its national digital transformation, the Moroccan government has selected global venture capital firm 500 Global to help implement a core component of its ambitious Digital Morocco 2030 strategy. The partnership will see the influential VC firm support the Startup VB initiative, a flagship program designed to cultivate and scale the next generation of Moroccan tech companies.

This collaboration marks a major milestone for Morocco's burgeoning startup scene and a strategic expansion for 500 Global, one of the world's most active venture investors with $2.2 billion in assets under management. By bringing its global expertise and network to North Africa, the firm aims to help solidify Morocco's position as a leading innovation hub connecting Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Morocco's National Digital Blueprint

The partnership is a cornerstone of the far-reaching Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, a national plan spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform. The strategy aims to fundamentally reshape the country's economy and public services through technology, with clear and ambitious targets. Morocco's government has set its sights on creating 3,000 startups, generating 240,000 direct jobs in the digital sector, and boosting the digital economy's contribution to the national GDP to 100 billion Moroccan Dirhams (approximately $10 billion) by the end of the decade.

The Startup VB initiative, deployed by the public financing institution TAMWILCOM, is the primary vehicle for achieving these entrepreneurial goals. It is designed to identify and accelerate high-potential founders by providing critical training, mentorship, and financing pathways. The selection of 500 Global as an implementation partner is a clear signal of the government's intent to attract world-class private-sector expertise to achieve its public-sector ambitions.

By leveraging the firm's experience, the initiative will focus on operationalizing these goals through direct founder support, providing access to a global network of mentors and investors, and developing early-stage capabilities within the local ecosystem.

A Proven Model for Ecosystem Growth

For 500 Global, this move represents a deepening of its long-standing commitment to the African continent. The firm made its first investment in Africa in 2011 and has since backed over 100 portfolio companies, including well-known scale-ups like Chipper Cash, Smile Identity, and Stitch, which have collectively raised approximately $1 billion in subsequent capital.

This Moroccan partnership follows a successful blueprint of public-private collaboration that 500 Global has deployed elsewhere on the continent. In 2022, the firm partnered with Egypt's Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) to launch founder bootcamps and scale-up programs, establishing its first physical office in Africa in Cairo. More recently, it launched founder programs in Nairobi as part of the UNDP's Timbuktoo initiative, further cementing its role as an ecosystem builder.

Demola Adegbite, the Partner at 500 Global leading the firm’s venture investments across Africa, highlighted the synergy between public and private sectors. “Our work across emerging markets has shown that ecosystems accelerate fastest when public-sector leadership and private-sector expertise move in lockstep,” he said. “By supporting the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, we look forward to connecting Moroccan founders to our global growth networks across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, where we believe the country is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge for global expansion.”

Catalyzing a Burgeoning Startup Scene

The arrival of 500 Global comes at a pivotal moment for Morocco's startup ecosystem. The country has shown significant momentum, climbing to 9th place in Africa in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index. Funding has also seen a dramatic uptick, with Moroccan startups raising nearly $95 million in 2024, a substantial increase from previous years. Sectors like TravelTech, Fintech, and Logistics are attracting significant attention, with Casablanca solidifying its status as the nation's primary tech hub.

However, local entrepreneurs still face significant hurdles. Despite the recent growth, the ecosystem has struggled with a growth-stage capital gap, with total VC funding lagging behind African powerhouses like Kenya and Nigeria. Reports also indicate that funding can be highly concentrated, with a few top deals capturing the majority of capital. Key challenges for founders often include securing follow-on funding for international expansion and navigating regulatory complexities.

This is precisely where the partnership with 500 Global is expected to make a tangible impact. The firm's mandate to provide early-stage capability development and network access is designed to address these specific pain points. By providing a structured pathway from ideation to global scale, the Startup VB initiative aims to help more local success stories, like B2B e-commerce platform Chari and agritech startup Terraa, not only emerge but also thrive on the international stage. The program will equip founders with the tools and connections needed to overcome the critical early-stage valleys and build resilient, scalable businesses.

Entering a Dynamic North African Market

500 Global is entering a vibrant but competitive North African landscape. Morocco is already home to a growing number of local and regional VC funds, including UM6P Ventures, 212 Founders, and Outlierz Ventures, alongside a robust network of incubators and accelerators like Plug and Play Morocco. The firm's entry adds a powerful global player to the mix, one capable of writing larger checks and opening doors to previously inaccessible markets.

The move also aligns with broader investment trends in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. While global venture capital has seen a contraction, the MENA ecosystem has demonstrated notable resilience, supported by strong government initiatives and local capital sources. By establishing a formal presence through the Startup VB initiative, 500 Global is strategically positioning itself within a market that is not only growing but also actively seeking international collaboration to unlock its next phase of development. This partnership is poised to create a powerful ripple effect, potentially attracting further international investment and solidifying Morocco's role as a key player in the future of African tech.