Morocco has inaugurated a $700 million, 55-story Mohammed VI Tower in Salé, signaling rising global ambitions.
Designed as a rocket on a launchpad, the tower houses a luxury hotel, offices, shops, restaurants, apartments.
Officials say the landmark is expected to create 450 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect employment opportunities across sectors.
Construction spanned eight years, involving more than 2,500 workers from over a dozen countries collaborating on the project.
The skyscraper has already appeared on Morocco’s 200-dirham banknote, symbolizing its national significance and architectural pride.
Standing near Rabat’s Grand Theatre by Zaha Hadid, it offers sweeping views of Atlantic Ocean and twin cities.
Authorities say the project places Rabat and Salé on the global map, boosting tourism and international visibility.
Morocco, already Africa’s most visited country, is expanding tourism ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The tower is presented as a symbol of Morocco’s soft power and regional influence across Africa and Middle East.
Critics argue development is uneven, noting coastal concentration while inland regions face unemployment and weaker public services.
Project founder Othmane Benjelloun, billionaire owner of Bank of Africa, conceived the skyscraper as a long-term vision.
The idea reportedly emerged after a 1969 NASA invitation to a spaceflight simulation before Apollo 12 mission.
For Morocco, the tower rises as a gleaming statement of ambition, blending modern architecture with national aspiration.