Maroc Telecom (IAM) and Inwi (Wana Corporate) have entered a strategic partnership aimed at significantly boosting the deployment of fiber optic and 5G technologies across Morocco. This collaboration, which has been approved by both companies’ governing bodies, represents a pivotal step toward achieving Morocco’s digital transformation goals and expanding high-speed connectivity nationwide.
Scope of work
As part of the agreement, the two telecom giants will create two equally owned joint ventures to consolidate their passive infrastructure and streamline deployment efforts. The first venture, FiberCo, will focus on expanding fiber optic coverage, with an ambitious target of reaching one million connections within two years and scaling up to three million in five years. The second entity, TowerCo, will concentrate on accelerating 5G network deployment, planning to build 2,000 towers in the first three years, and 6,000 towers over a decade.
The initial phase of this initiative is valued at MAD 4.4 billion and is set to be implemented over a three-year period. Importantly, the infrastructure developed under this agreement will be made accessible to all licensed operators, in line with existing regulatory standards governing passive infrastructure sharing. The partnership is currently pending approval from Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) as part of the concentration control process.
In addition to advancing digital infrastructure, this agreement also marks a resolution to a longstanding dispute between the two companies. Previously, Maroc Telecom had been ordered to pay MAD 6.38 billion in compensation to Inwi due to disagreements over infrastructure sharing. However, under the new partnership framework, the two parties have agreed to settle the matter by reducing the compensation to MAD 4.38 billion, contingent on the formal establishment of the joint ventures.
By combining their efforts, Maroc Telecom and Inwi reaffirm their dedication to supporting Morocco’s technological and economic development. This collaboration is expected to enhance the quality, speed, and accessibility of digital services for both individuals and businesses, positioning Morocco as a leading telecommunications hub in Africa and beyond. Both companies have also expressed their appreciation to national authorities and stakeholders for their support in enabling this transformative initiative.