Morocco Makes First Official Gamescom Appearance in Cologne

Casablanca – Morocco is taking part officially for the first time in Gamescom, the world’s largest event dedicated to the video game industry, which opened its 18th edition on Wednesday in Cologne, western Germany.

The Moroccan delegation includes institutional representatives and 11 video game development studios, brought together in a national pavilion covering 102 square meters. The studios are presenting their work to international publishers, investors and other industry players during the event, which runs from August 26 to 30.

The participation is led by the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investments and Exports (AMDIE), in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication. The initiative aims to give  Moroccan studios greater international exposure and help them develop business opportunities with publishers, investors, studios and potential partners.

It also forms part of efforts to support the internationalization of Moroccan companies and their integration into global value chains in the gaming industry.

Eight of the participating studios were selected through the Video Game Incubator program launched by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in partnership with the French Embassy in Morocco.

Three others won awards in the “Exclusive preview presentation” category at the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026.

Nesrine Souissi, director of video game industry development at the ministry, said Morocco’s participation in Gamescom 2026 aims to accelerate the international expansion of local studios and help integrate them into global value chains.

The ministry announced the participation during the third edition of the Morocco Gaming Expo, whose opening was chaired by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan. The event, held in Rabat from May 20 to 24, attracted more than 80,000 visitors, with 24 countries represented, alongside 100 Moroccan exhibitors and 48 international investors.

Morocco’s presence in Cologne is part of a national strategy being implemented since 2021 to make the country an African hub for video game production by 2032.

Gamescom brings together the international gaming community and different parts of the industry in Cologne and online. According to organizers, the 2026 edition features more than 1,600 exhibitors and more than 800 games. Koelnmesse and the German Games Industry Association jointly organize the event.