Morocco Opens $700M Skyscraper as It Boosts Global Ambitions
The newly inaugurated 55-story Mohammed VI Tower in Casablanca signifies Morocco's expanding global objectives and its quest for regional influence.
Towering over the Moroccan capital’s historic cityscape, a $700 million, 55-story skyscraper opened this week.
Named for King Mohammed VI and inspired by a rocket on its launchpad, the 820-foot Mohammed VI Tower features a luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel, offices, shops, restaurants, and upscale apartments.
It is among Africa’s tallest skyscrapers, expected to generate 450 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect ones, according to Leila Haddaoui, director of development company O Tower.
The tower stands in Salé, the twin city of Rabat, built over eight years with the involvement of more than 2,500 workers from over a dozen countries.
It has already appeared on Morocco’s 200-dirham (approximately $20) banknote.
Situated near the Grand Theatre of Rabat, designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, it offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and the twin cities.
Morocco aims to position Rabat and Salé on the international stage as part of a broader tourism push.
As Africa’s most visited country economically dependent on tourism, Morocco is seeking to attract more visitors.
This effort comes as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The newly inaugurated tower symbolizes Morocco's growing soft power in Africa and the Middle East, reflecting its ambition to become a leading regional player through high-profile development projects aimed at expanding its influence.
Critics argue that development is concentrated along Morocco’s Atlantic corridor while other areas remain underdeveloped.
Protests led by Gen Z last year highlighted grievances over high unemployment and struggling public services.
The tower, with a total area of more than 102,800 square meters (about 1.1 million square feet), was conceived by Othmane Benjelloun, a 93-year-old billionaire who owns Bank of Africa, a Moroccan bank once state-owned and now influential across the continent.
Benjelloun’s inspiration for the skyscraper stems from his invitation by NASA in 1969 to participate in a spaceflight simulation ahead of the Apollo 12 mission to the moon.
Named for King Mohammed VI and inspired by a rocket on its launchpad, the 820-foot Mohammed VI Tower features a luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel, offices, shops, restaurants, and upscale apartments.
It is among Africa’s tallest skyscrapers, expected to generate 450 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect ones, according to Leila Haddaoui, director of development company O Tower.
The tower stands in Salé, the twin city of Rabat, built over eight years with the involvement of more than 2,500 workers from over a dozen countries.
It has already appeared on Morocco’s 200-dirham (approximately $20) banknote.
Situated near the Grand Theatre of Rabat, designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, it offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and the twin cities.
Morocco aims to position Rabat and Salé on the international stage as part of a broader tourism push.
As Africa’s most visited country economically dependent on tourism, Morocco is seeking to attract more visitors.
This effort comes as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The newly inaugurated tower symbolizes Morocco's growing soft power in Africa and the Middle East, reflecting its ambition to become a leading regional player through high-profile development projects aimed at expanding its influence.
Critics argue that development is concentrated along Morocco’s Atlantic corridor while other areas remain underdeveloped.
Protests led by Gen Z last year highlighted grievances over high unemployment and struggling public services.
The tower, with a total area of more than 102,800 square meters (about 1.1 million square feet), was conceived by Othmane Benjelloun, a 93-year-old billionaire who owns Bank of Africa, a Moroccan bank once state-owned and now influential across the continent.
Benjelloun’s inspiration for the skyscraper stems from his invitation by NASA in 1969 to participate in a spaceflight simulation ahead of the Apollo 12 mission to the moon.
