The mobile phone industry in Morocco has experienced remarkable growth over the period from 2006 to 2022, according to data released by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT). The report, titled “Mobile Phone Market Observatory (2006-2022),” provides insights into the postpaid and prepaid mobile phone segments, as well as the overall mobile phone penetration rate and population statistics.
In the postpaid mobile phone segment, Itissalat Al-Maghrib (IAM) emerged as the leading provider with a steady increase in subscribers. Starting at 347,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2006, IAM’s postpaid subscribers reached an impressive 989,000 in the first quarter of 2012. By the end of 2022, IAM’s postpaid subscribers had reached an estimated 1,683,000, demonstrating consistent growth over the years.
Medi Telecom, another prominent player in the Moroccan mobile phone market, also experienced a significant increase in postpaid subscribers. From 288,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2006, the company’s postpaid customer base reached 765,000 in the third quarter of 2016, indicating a notable upward trend.
Wana Corporate, the third major player in the postpaid mobile phone segment, witnessed substantial growth as well. With 636,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2006, Wana Corporate’s postpaid customer base grew to 2,904,000 by the end of the third quarter of 2016.
In terms of prepaid mobile phone subscribers, IAM maintained its leading position throughout the observed period. IAM’s prepaid subscribers soared from 8,228,000 in the first quarter of 2006 to an estimated 16,913,000 by the end of 2016. The prepaid customer base of Medi Telecom also experienced a remarkable increase, rising from 4,040,000 in the first quarter of 2006 to 13,491,000 by the third quarter of 2016. Wana Corporate followed suit, with its prepaid subscribers reaching 10,034,000 in the same period.
The overall mobile phone market in Morocco, combining both postpaid and prepaid segments, exhibited a consistently high penetration rate. The mobile phone penetration rate, indicating the percentage of the population with mobile phone subscriptions, stood at 43.17% in the first quarter of 2006 and steadily increased to 124.27% by the first quarter of 2016. By the end of 2022, the mobile phone penetration rate had reached an impressive 150.12%, reflecting the widespread adoption of mobile phones among the population.
The Moroccan population also witnessed growth over the years, increasing from 29,892,000 in the first quarter of 2006 to an estimated 35,783,000 by the end of 2022.
The data from ANRT’s Mobile Phone Market Observatory highlights the robust expansion of the mobile phone industry in Morocco, showcasing the growing demand for mobile communication services among the population. With increasing accessibility and technological advancements, the mobile phone market is expected to continue its upward trajectory, offering new opportunities for both service providers and consumers alike.