After strongly advising you against opening a riad in Marrakesh, or a call-centre, here is the first post in a series of “business ideas that can succeed in Morocco”.
Yes, Bernard and I had thought of doing one post, but in the end, there’s so much to say on each subject that we’ll be doing at least four.
The important point is that all these ideas can succeed if they are professionally put together.
Morocco is full of Moroccans who know their trade and who work well. Competition is tough. The constraints are the same as in Europe.
If you see Morocco as an easy Eldorado, just waiting for you, move to another country.
Being a technomade in Morocco
This first ‘idea’, then, concerns everything that can be done remotely, in particular all jobs linked to the web, journalism, writing, everything that can be easily dematerialised.
This is not off-shoring.
Off-shoring means relocating ‘mass’ production to a country where labour costs are lower, in order to subcontract for clients abroad. “Subcontracting’ means that you have no contact with the end customer.
On the contrary, it means working directly for the end customer.
It’s easier in some areas, but a lot of things can be done remotely. And it’s much easier if you’re already an expert, or if you already have a good customer base.
Of course, everything to do with running and monetising your own websites can be done almost anywhere.
Constraints in Morocco
Internet tools
The real constraint is the quality of the Internet connection. It’s variable at best, and relatively expensive for ADSL, and things can become catastrophic.
When I moved to El Jadida, I asked around, and we limited our property search to areas close to the Maroc Télécom exchange.
That doesn’t stop me from having breakdowns, difficulties and slowdowns, even though the situation is much better than in Ouarzazate.
Similarly, it is difficult to obtain the latest generation of equipment unless it is imported directly from Europe, which is expensive.
Payment and exchange controls
The payment circuit is not very simple either. Paypal remains one of the best solutions, despite its cost. Other solutions are beginning to emerge.
Transfers from French banks are often costly and time-consuming. Some of my customers have had to go to their bank branch and pay up to €50 in fees.
Finally, as far as monetisation is concerned, some affiliation platforms do not accept to work with Moroccan companies, or only pay by cheque in foreign currency.
Opportunities
It is extremely easy to become self-employed in Morocco.
You can set up a company with a minimum capital of 1 dirham, or even work as an individual. The status of auto-entrepreneur is planned, but not all the implementing decrees have yet been issued.
Personally, I would advise you to set up a SARL d’A.U. (Associé Unique), the Moroccan simplest company.
What’s more, you’ll be exempt from business tax for several years. And additional assistance if you decide to set up your business in Western Sahara (although you’re a long way from anywhere).
Morocco is the most connected country in Africa.
Internet creativity is strong, and there are plenty of opportunities to develop a client base in Morocco, in French, in English… and also the chance to work with people who are bursting with talent.
Risk factors
Many people are worried about working remotely. If you have customers that you visit every week, to whom you explain how to do this or that by taking the mouse out of their hands, they may be afraid to see you go far away.
The accumulation of ‘little constraints’ (Skype instead of the telephone, sometimes complicated bank transfers, etc.) can make them feel uncomfortable.
Finally, there are some people who refuse to deal with companies based in the Middle East or Africa for ‘security’ reasons, for fear of being left with no recourse in the event of a problem.
There’s a lot of low-cost competition
You can find anything in Morocco, at any price, including websites costing 500 dirhams (€50). Obviously, the quality isn’t up to scratch. So, even more than in France, you absolutely must position yourself at the top end of the market, and not give in to price pressure.
When someone tells you that his little cousin can do it for 500 dirhams, just let go. The customer will get what he deserves… and if he’s happy, it’s because he didn’t need you.
What’s more, compared with your French customers, you’ll be able to enjoy a good standard of living at a lower price than in France.
The right way of doing things
Avoid leaving without a guaranteed customer base.
Explain to your customers in advance what will change in your relationship and what will remain: the essentials, i.e. the quality of the service.
If you have “assisted” customers, help them before you leave: set them up with Skype, TeamViewer, demonstrate the tools in the same office with them, then remotely, but always “locally”.
Inform them of your new prices: even if you don’t lower them enormously, they must be lowered (you’ll be in a country where life is much cheaper, and the relationship will be less convenient for your customer).
Strengthen your presence on social networks and on your blog: this is what will bring you customers in the future. Approach a few agencies for whom you could work as a subcontractor, always before you leave. They won’t worry as much about working remotely.
Once you’re there, avoid any interruptions
Go straight to a Maroc Télécom branch and buy an unlimited Internet key. First and foremost. This will enable you to maintain contact before you settle in. Free WiFi is available in the vast majority of cafés, restaurants and hotels, but you may not feel like discussing prices and services in public…
That same morning, start the formalities for setting up your company and opening a bank account. If you already had a paypal account in Europe, keep it until everything is in place and you have your business bank account and your “Moroccan paypal“.
Dive into the twittoma
The #TeamMaroc or #Twittoma is very active (less so than the old #Blogoma, the sphere of Moroccan blogs). Start reading, spot the interesting accounts (you can also look at the people I follow), and do the same for Facebook.
And I bet you’ll be swamped…
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