Morocco on Saturday inaugurated a fan zone dedicated to African students and alumni of its international cooperation programs, as the country prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, joined by Royal Moroccan Football Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa and Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe, officially opened the AMCI Fan Zone at the headquarters of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) in Rabat.
The fan zone is designed for current and former beneficiaries of Morocco’s cooperation programs and aims to strengthen cultural and human ties in a festive setting. Organizers said it will provide a safe and welcoming space for collective match viewing while promoting African football and intercultural exchange.
According to information presented during the launch ceremony, the AMCI Fan Zone will be open daily from Dec. 21, 2025, to Jan. 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It features five interactive areas catering to a wide range of interests.
These include a sports and football area for skill-based games and tournaments; a “watch and celebrate” space combining live match broadcasts on giant screens with musical performances and DJ sets; an African culture zone highlighting the continent’s heritage through artistic performances and workshops; a gaming and technology area offering interactive digital experiences; and a discussion and inspiration space hosting talks, debates and networking events for students and graduates.
Speaking at the ceremony, CAF President Motsepe thanked King Mohammed VI, Bourita and Lekjaa for their efforts to support Africa’s development and for meeting organizational standards for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations.
Motsepe highlighted Morocco’s role in hosting students from 48 African countries, saying beneficiaries of Moroccan cooperation programs share a strong commitment to contributing to the future of their home countries. Addressing African students, he described them as the continent’s future and said the skills they acquire in Morocco would help create jobs and drive development across Africa.
Turning to the tournament, Motsepe said Morocco’s hosting of AFCON brings together all 54 African nations, whether participating or not, and noted that millions of Africans around the world will follow the competition. He described football as a powerful tool for unity and for strengthening ties between Africa and the rest of the world.
Organizers said the fan zone will broadcast 46 of the tournament’s 52 matches live, covering about 88% of the competition. The program includes more than 80 hours of interactive match viewing and 16 cultural and artistic performances held over eight days.
The AMCI Fan Zone also includes six experiential and thematic areas and is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors throughout the tournament. A student football tournament featuring 27 matches will also be organized to promote sportsmanship and interaction among participants.
Officials said the initiative reflects Morocco’s broader commitment to using sports and culture as tools for strengthening ties between African peoples and reinforcing the country’s role in cultural and sports diplomacy on the continent.
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