Morocco opens $700 million skyscraper, signals global ambitions  

Morocco has inaugurated the 55-storey Mohammed VI Tower in Salé, now the tallest building in the country and among the highest in Africa. 

Rising about 820 feet, the $700 million project takes its name from Mohammed VI and features a mix of uses, including a Waldorf Astoria hotel, offices, shops, restaurants and high-end apartments. Its design, inspired by a rocket on a launchpad, has quickly become a new landmark on the Bouregreg River.

A new skyline for Rabat-Salé 

Built over eight years by more than 2,500 workers from over a dozen countries, the tower stands near the Grand Theatre of Rabat, designed by the late Zaha Hadid. From its upper floors, it looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and the twin cities of Rabat and Salé. 

Leila Haddaoui, a director at developer O Tower, said the project is expected to create about 450 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect roles. The building has already been featured on Morocco’s 200-dirham banknote, underlining its national significance.

Morocco tourism drives growth World Cup 2030

Officials say the project is part of a broader effort to raise the profile of Rabat and Salé, which often receive less attention than cities such as Marrakech. Morocco, already Africa’s most visited country, is looking to draw more travelers as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. 

Tourism remains a key pillar of the economy, and authorities see large-scale developments as a way to attract investment and visitors at a time when regional tensions are reshaping travel patterns.

Benjelloun vision meets youth unrest concerns

Backers describe the tower as a sign of Morocco’s growing influence in Africa and the Middle East, reflecting a push to position the country as a regional hub for business and culture. 

Still, critics argue that investment is heavily focused along the Atlantic corridor, leaving other regions behind. Protests led by younger Moroccans last year pointed to high unemployment and pressure on public services. 

The project was conceived by Moroccan billionaire Othmane Benjelloun, who has long played a central role in the country’s financial sector. According to the developers, the idea dates back to a visit he made to NASA ahead of the Apollo 12 mission—a moment that helped shape the tower’s distinctive form.