From 10 to 12 September 2026, El Jadida will turn into a new African hub for gaming, lotteries and horse racing with the 5th edition of the Grand Prix of Africa El Jadida. After Marrakech and Casablanca, the event is moving for the first time to the Atlantic coast, underlining Morocco’s growing role as a host for major continental meetings.
Grand Prix of Africa El Jadida: a new hub on the Atlantic coast
The Grand Prix of Africa El Jadida marks a new step for this professional gathering. The first editions were held in Marrakech, then in Casablanca in 2025. Choosing El Jadida shows the will to diversify destinations and highlight other Moroccan regions.
For Moroccans living abroad planning a visit or a temporary stay in the country at that time, the city will offer a livelier agenda, with many African and international professionals in town. This dynamic may also interest those considering investments in events, hospitality or tourism services in the area.
Three days of meetings at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Park
The event is organised by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Horse (SOREC) and the Association of African Lotteries (ALA). Over three days, El Jadida will host gaming and lottery operators, horse racing professionals, experts and international partners.
Professional meetings will start on Thursday 10 September at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Park, with the official opening and the launch of a B2B exhibition. This exhibition will bring together 25 partners, exhibitors and startups showcasing their solutions, innovations and expertise dedicated to the sector.
For Moroccans abroad interested in entrepreneurship in Morocco, this kind of fair offers a way to take the pulse of African markets, understand new business models and identify potential partners.
A key moment on African markets and consumer behaviour
The highlight of this 5th edition is scheduled for Friday 11 September, with the ALA seminar. Its theme will be: “Cultures, social behaviours and consumption in the business of African lotteries”.
Experts, representatives of African lotteries and international partners will discuss how sociocultural specificities shape consumer behaviour. Debates will focus on market changes, new consumption trends and transformations underway across the continent.
Beyond the horse racing competition, the Grand Prix of Africa has gradually become a key forum to reflect on the future of the gaming and lottery industry in Africa. It is a useful space for those following the rise of digital services, payment solutions and regulation in these fields.
What does this mean for Moroccans living abroad?
For Moroccans abroad, this development can have several concrete implications:
- Travel and stays: if you plan to visit Morocco in mid-September 2026, El Jadida will offer more activities and a higher hotel occupancy, which may impact availability and prices.
- Business opportunities: B2B meetings may attract profiles from the diaspora active in digital services, marketing, payment solutions or data applied to leisure.
- Monitoring African markets: for those looking to use Morocco as a base to reach African markets, this kind of event helps to better understand African consumers’ expectations.
Before launching any project linked to gaming, lotteries or investments in Morocco, it remains advisable to check the regulatory framework and competent authorities on official portals, including those dedicated to Moroccans living abroad (https://www.mre.gov.ma/).
This 5th edition of the Grand Prix of Africa El Jadida confirms Morocco’s position as a growing African platform for professional meetings, with potential benefits for travellers, entrepreneurs and those preparing a return to the country.
For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.
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