Moroccan gamers are increasingly turning to secondhand markets and refurbished devices as high import costs continue to drive up the price of gaming hardware across the country, despite the sector’s rapid growth.
Morocco’s gaming market generated an estimated $277 million in revenue in 2024, reflecting the expansion of a young and digitally connected player base. However, many consumers say the cost of purchasing gaming consoles, computers and components remains a major obstacle.
Unlike some consumer electronics, gaming hardware is not manufactured locally and must be imported. Products such as the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops and graphics cards typically pass through multiple distribution channels before reaching Moroccan retailers.
Industry observers note that shipping, storage and handling expenses, combined with import duties and value-added tax, significantly increase final retail prices.
As a result, a gaming console that retails for approximately $500 in the United States can cost the equivalent of between $750 and $900 in Morocco. The disparity is often greater for gaming laptops and computer components. A mid-range gaming laptop priced at around $900 abroad can reach nearly $1,700 in Moroccan stores after taxes and related costs are added.
Faced with these prices, many gamers have sought alternative purchasing options. Secondhand and refurbished devices have become increasingly popular, while informal sellers and online marketplaces offer lower-cost alternatives to traditional retailers.
Casablanca’s Derb Ghallef market remains a major destination for gamers searching for affordable consoles, graphics cards and accessories. Others have opted to purchase older or mid-range equipment capable of running modern games at lower costs.
Despite growing demand, there are currently few indications that gaming hardware will become more affordable in the near future. While Moroccan authorities recently reduced customs duties on imported mobile phones, no similar measures have been announced for gaming-related products.
At the same time, government officials have expressed ambitions to expand Morocco’s gaming industry. Plans to develop a gaming production hub in Rabat form part of broader efforts to strengthen the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
For many gamers, however, the immediate challenge remains affordability, as the cost of accessing modern gaming hardware continues to outpace the budgets of many consumers.
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