After years of rivalry, Maroc Telecom and Inwi have officially resolved their dispute and formed a strategic joint venture to develop Morocco’s national fiber-optic network infrastructure. This landmark partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation, expand high-speed internet access, and boost competition in the telecom sector.
In a surprise move that sent ripples through Morocco’s digital landscape, Maroc Telecom and Inwi, two of the country’s largest telecom giants, have officially ended their long-standing dispute and entered into a strategic joint venture to co-develop and manage fiber-optic infrastructure across the nation.
This unexpected alliance is being hailed as a transformational step toward a connected, high-speed Morocco — and one that sets the stage for a broader shift in the region’s telecom policy, infrastructure sharing, and public-private cooperation.
For over a decade, Maroc Telecom and Inwi have clashed on everything from network dominance and market competition to infrastructure access and regulatory influence. Their feud has repeatedly drawn the attention of Morocco's telecom regulator, ANRT, and stalled critical progress in national connectivity efforts.
But in early 2025, under increasing regulatory pressure and mutual market fatigue, back-channel negotiations began. Industry insiders reported quiet meetings, proposal drafts, and risk assessments between both corporate leaderships. The result? A reconciliation deal that shocked both markets and policy watchers.
At the heart of the new collaboration are two joint-venture entities:
A co-owned company that will build, manage, and expand fiber-optic infrastructure across urban and rural Morocco. This includes city-wide FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) deployments and connecting public institutions like schools, hospitals, and municipal offices.
A complementary entity focused on shared tower infrastructure, allowing both companies (and potentially other players like Orange Maroc) to reduce duplicative costs and improve 4G/5G deployment efficiency.
These ventures are expected to slash capital expenditure, streamline regulatory approvals, and accelerate digital inclusion across the country.
The Maroc Telecom–Inwi alliance marks a watershed moment in the Moroccan telecom industry, unlocking a range of benefits:
Better internet speeds, broader fiber coverage, and potentially lower subscription costs thanks to shared operational savings.
Improved broadband reliability and the potential to support new services like cloud platforms, IoT ecosystems, and AI-powered operations.
Progress toward Morocco’s Digital Transformation 2030 strategy, increased investor confidence, and enhanced e-governance platforms.
According to sources close to the deal, the initial fiber rollout will target 20 cities by early 2026, with a goal to reach 80% national coverage by 2029. The total investment in the joint ventures is expected to exceed 4 billion MAD over the next five years.
In parallel, pilot testing of shared tower infrastructure is already underway in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech — signaling rapid implementation.
Telecom analyst Salma Khayri notes,
“This partnership could rewire the future of Moroccan telecom. It's rare to see fierce rivals come together like this. But when they do, consumers and innovation usually win.”
A senior official at ANRT commented anonymously:
“This deal is not just about fiber — it’s a statement that Morocco is ready to embrace 21st-century telecom economics.”
The deal is expected to influence other North African and West African markets, where similar duopolies and infrastructure bottlenecks exist. Egypt, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire are already rumored to be studying the Morocco model closely.
In fact, observers suggest this might inspire broader Pan-African collaborations, especially in areas like 5G deployment, satellite backhaul, and smart city infrastructure.
1. Watch for RFPs:
Expect FiberCo to release competitive tenders for equipment suppliers, fiber installation contractors, and monitoring systems. This is a business opportunity goldmine for regional tech firms.
2. Plan for Open Access:
Inwi and Maroc Telecom may open their network to smaller ISPs under wholesale leasing models. If you're a niche ISP or content platform, prepare your application and business pitch.
3. Get ESG-ready:
Sustainability metrics will likely be key to tower sharing. Think solar-powered sites, low-carbon cement, and smart energy management.
4. Reassess Local Partnerships:
With fiber about to penetrate deep into rural areas, now is the time for community internet cafes, local digital education hubs, and e-health kiosks to prepare their rollouts.
By Q4 2025, FiberCo’s first large-scale deployment will begin, starting with Casablanca’s underserved outskirts. Inwi has promised to simultaneously launch new FTTH packages bundled with smart home devices and e-learning tools.
Meanwhile, regulators will monitor the venture’s compliance with fair competition guidelines, and ensure that open access is preserved to avoid a “new monopoly by merger.”
The Maroc Telecom–Inwi alliance is more than just a business handshake — it's a signal of strategic maturity, regulatory cooperation, and economic evolution. It reflects Morocco’s readiness to become a regional tech leader, bridging urban-rural digital divides while modernizing its core infrastructure.
As this bold experiment unfolds, the eyes of Africa — and the global telecom world — will be watching.
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