Morocco bets on video game industry to provide jobs and diversify economy

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Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. homegrown / ˌhoʊmˈgroʊn / (adj.) – made, created, or developed in one’s own country, area, or group rather than coming from outside
    Example:

    Their coffee shop only uses homegrown coffee beans sourced from local farms across the region.


  2. burgeon / ˈbɜr dʒən / (v.) – to grow or develop quickly
    Example:

    The tourism industry began burgeoning after the country improved its transportation system.


  3. diversify / dɪˈvɜr səˌfaɪ / (v.) – to increase variety or to expand into new types, markets, services, or areas
    Example:

    The government is diversifying industries to create more job opportunities and reduce unemployment.


  4. spark / spɑrk / (v.) – to cause something to begin or happen
    Example:

    The festival was designed to spark creativity in young artists.


  5. empower / ɛmˈpaʊ ər / (v.) – to give someone the power or ability to do something
    Example:

    Good education programs can empower people to improve their lives.


Article

Read the text below.

Morocco is laying down foundations to build a homegrown gaming industry by establishing a developer hub in the capital, training coders and launching programs to draw tech-savvy youth into the sector.


State officials invited developers, students and tech companies from around the world to a gaming expo in Rabat, where guests tested new games, competed in e-sports tournaments and heard about new initiatives to bring the burgeoning industry to Morocco.


The event, in its second year, is one of the few ways in which African countries are diversifying their economies and attracting new industries for their young workforces.


Morocco is positioning itself as one of Africa’s first countries to roll out targeted strategies for the gaming industry. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, said the government aims to both attract international game companies to Morocco and incentivize Moroccan developers to create their own products. With youth unemployment close to 30 percent and many young people eyeing opportunities abroad, the gaming industry could be a way to spark job growth and diversify opportunities, he said.


“The objective is not only to generate revenue, but also to empower youth,” Bensaid said. “We must offer real alternatives to our young people by opening up new career opportunities.”


Driven primarily by game sales, Morocco’s industry currently generates over $500 million annually, according to state officials, who aim to double this revenue by 2030.


Morocco is launching training programs in game design, programming and virtual reality alongside an industrial park where startups can incubate new games. The initiative includes a $26-million investment to open “Rabat Gaming City,” featuring training, co-working spaces and full-scale production studios.


For students, the industry offers a chance to turn a passion into a career, said Fadwa Bezzazi, coordinator of Université Mohammed V’s undergraduate club in computer science and virtual reality. Students, who are already spending money on mobile or PC games, want to find ways to put what they’re learning in the classroom into practice.


“I’m not going to say we’re preparing them for the future, because that future is already here,” she said.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Some African countries are working to diversify their economies by developing new industries for young workers. Why is it important for a country to have more than one strong industry? What problems can happen if a country depends on only one type of business? Discuss.
  • In your country, what are the main industries people rely on for work? Do you think your country should invest in new areas to create more opportunities? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Bensaid said the goal is not just to generate revenue, but to empower youth by opening career opportunities. Why do you think it’s important to empower young people instead of only focusing on generating revenue? What happens to a country if its youth don’t feel supported or valued? Discuss.
  • In your country, what actions has the government taken to help young people feel empowered (ex. free education, job assistance)? Do you think those efforts are enough, or should more be done? Why? Discuss.