Photo source: SNRTNews / Rizkou
The successful hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations offered a clear preview of Morocco’s ambitions for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, according to Chakib Alj, President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM). Speaking at the Morocco–Spain–Portugal Business Forum dedicated to World Cup 2030, Alj described the tournament as a real-life test that demonstrated how major sporting events can become catalysts for economic and social development when ambition, coordination, and collective execution align.
AFCON as a Catalyst for Economic Acceleration
Alj stressed that the Africa Cup of Nations was not only a sporting success but also an economic one. He noted that Morocco delivered what he described as “the best AFCON in history,” generating more than €2 billion in direct economic returns. Perhaps more importantly, the event accelerated development at an unprecedented pace.
“In just two years, we achieved what would normally take a decade,” he said, citing the creation of over 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and the mobilization of more than 3,000 Moroccan companies across construction, services, logistics, and event management.
World Cup 2030 and a Shared Economic Vision
Looking ahead to FIFA World Cup 2030, Alj emphasized the central role of the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in translating opportunity into local value. He highlighted strong cooperation prospects with Spain and Portugal in infrastructure, mobility, tourism, and digital innovation, arguing that 2030 represents a unique opportunity to strengthen competitiveness, create sustainable jobs, and build shared prosperity across the three countries.
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