Africalia, the Hiba Foundation, and the French Institute, in partnership with the European Union, have launched the first call for applications for Iqlaa. This new accelerator initiative is designed to support Morocco's cultural and creative sector by selecting around 20 promising companies for its inaugural cohort, with applications open through late September.

The program specifically targets young Moroccan entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 who are looking to scale up their operations. Iqlaa covers a broad range of sectors, including animation, video games, visual and performing arts, fashion, music, publishing, film, heritage tourism, gastronomy, press, and advertising, helping transform local artistic projects into sustainable businesses.

Iqlaa’s curriculum is framed around three phases that help the participants complete their journey: Integration, Strengthening, and Momentum. The first two phases are dedicated to solidifying business models and operational strategies. In the last phase the participants are equipped with tools and skills that prepare them for investment readiness, scaling up, and making an entry into new markets abroad.

The chosen participants are provided development assistance through design training, business coaching, peer networking, and other opportunities of the creative network in Morocco. In addition, the incubator provides financial means in the form of seed grants between 30,000 and 50,000 dirhams and growth grants that can amount to 450,000 dirhams.