Morocco’s IT sector searches for opportunities

The day has just begun, but for Mohamed, web designer and unemployed, the morning tea is one of many cups he will throw back throughout the day in front of his computer. He tells of a lack of opportunity in the country for the young IT graduates who believed their expertise would be quickly gobbled up by local and international firms.

“There is an over-abundance of technology people in Morocco and it has become extremely frustrating to find work and people are getting angry,” he says. “It’s tough, but as a country we are strong and know that the economic situation will get better.”

Mohamd, 24, is one of thousands of young Moroccans who have been forced to look for telecommuting positions to earn a living. Last month, the young tech guru – who specializes in online graphics – was forced to take a freelance job with a Chinese company to help remodel their brand. They never paid.

“I was promised $2,000 for the three weeks of work. I developed an entirely new logo and graphic scheme for their business, but in the end, they said the work wasn’t good enough,” he reveals, showing his saved files and the current company website. They ended up using his work, which was why he still holds out hope of receiving his payment.

Across Morocco, despite massive infrastructure efforts by the government, unemployment continues to rise, especially in the over saturated IT sector.

Yussif Said, a former ministry of communications official and now independent contractor, believes the situation in Morocco “will get better” as international companies see the efforts the government is making and as tension in the region subsides.

“The CEO’s and people in the country and abroad are waiting to see if Morocco will erupt in demonstrations before taking the final plunge into investing and setting up offices in the country,” he argues, adding the government in 2010 implemented a number of efforts to revitalize the IT sector and infrastructure.

“These projects have yet to really get under way because of the tension in North Africa. I believe that in a few months, there will be real opportunities for our people and those without work to get into the mix.”

For now, as mobile phone penetration continues to increase dramatically, passing the 100 percent mark earlier this year, optimism remains high, even for those like Mohamed who struggle to make ends meet.

“We have heard of a number of large international companies looking at coming to Morocco to start the process, so it has to be only a matter of time,” he says.

By Jonathan Terry