Moroccan Tech Experts Urge Google to Enable App Monetization in Morocco

"While Google is making great efforts to boost the startup scene in Africa, a few problems still hinder progress and block the development of many local activities, such as e-commerce. Moroccan startups, tech entrepreneurs and developers find themselves unable to monetize their Android apps or offer in-app purchases derived in Morocco, even though they pay the same registration fees to the Play Store (developer account) as other users," notes Mehdi Sakout. He specified that this problem is not new, "as has always been the case since the launch of Google Merchant, which is the main online sales service for e-commerce products, such as clothing, digital items, Android apps or in-app purchases..."

This senior Android engineer defines monetization as one of the engines of mobile apps to allow them to survive, ensure continuity and develop. He said that the limited registration of Google Merchant (payment profile) has forced many developers to find alternative business models, such as Admob ads, which are not necessarily suitable for all types of businesses. By consulting the complete list of authorized countries, Mehdi Sakout says he discovered that Morocco is the only country in the MENA region without access to Google Merchant while neighboring countries such as Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt... have full access.

He says he has been in contact since 2015 with many Googlers in the MENA region (by email and in person) to convey the request to the right team. Without success. "My open letter today is intended to spread the message in order to unblock the situation; or at least have an appropriate justification from Google. Let’s support this change if necessary for the future of Africa," he added.