Morocco switches on 5G ahead of AFCON

By Phathisani Moyo, Senior contributor
Johannesburg, 10 Nov 2025
The move has been lauded as a new era of connectivity that brings faster, more reliable digital services to Moroccans ahead of AFCON 2025.
The move has been lauded as a new era of connectivity that brings faster, more reliable digital services to Moroccans ahead of AFCON 2025.

Morocco has officially launched 5G connectivity, with its three main telecom operators, Maroc Telecom, Orange Maroc, and Inwi, switching on their fifth-generation networks.

Friday’s launch comes just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) kicks off in the North African country on December 21, where ultra-fast and reliable networks will be crucial for broadcasting and the hordes of fans expected to descend on the Kingdom.

The introduction of 5G, offering speeds above 2 Gbps, ultra-low latency, and enhanced capacity, forms part of Morocco’s digital Morocco 2030 strategy, which aims for 25% population coverage by the end of 2025 and 70% by 2030.

Orange Maroc CEO Hendrik Kasteel confirmed that its 5G service is already live across 135 cities and towns.

 “This is the dawn of a new era of connectivity powered by 25 years of innovation and expertise. With 5G, Orange Maroc takes another step forward in our mission to bring Moroccans closer to what truly matters,” he said.

Maroc Telecom, the dominant mobile operator with 18.9 million users in the country, also announced full 5G activation nationwide, describing the move as a new step towards the Kingdom’s digital future. 

The Moroccan telecoms giant said customers with compatible smartphones automatically gain access to the network without changing SIM cards.

Maroc Telecom’s 5G plans start from just $13 (119 dirhams), with access to premium digital content such as beIN SPORTS, StarzPlay, and Glovo Prime.

Inwi echoed similar excitement in a statement, confirming that its users can connect to 5G at no additional cost or subscription change. “The technology would transform how Moroccans live, work, and share, while accelerating digital inclusion across the country,” the telco declared.

Beyond consumer use, 5G is expected to boost economic innovation, enabling sectors like healthcare, education, logistics, and entertainment to harness faster, more stable connectivity. 

More importantly for the mobile operators, the upcoming AFCON tournament will serve as a large-scale test for the technology, supporting live broadcasting, data-intensive applications, and fan experiences in real time.

Kastel added that with over 100 cities already covered, Morocco’s 5G rollout paves the way for smarter cities, connected industries and an inclusive digital future.

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