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For the third consecutive year, Marrakech is hosting the Grand Prix d’Afrique, an event that celebrates the connections between African lotteries and promotes horse racing across Africa. Organized by Morocco's Royal Society of Horse Encouragement (SOREC) and the African Lotteries Association (ALA), the opening ceremony of this continental event was held on Thursday, October 31, at the Marrakech National Stud.
The inauguration was chaired by SOREC’s Managing Director, Omar Skalli, and ALA President Dramane Coulibaly, who also heads Côte d'Ivoire’s National Lottery (LONACI). The event gathered 12 African delegations, including representatives from national lotteries, relevant ministries, and private sector stakeholders.
Professionals from Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Niger, Madagascar, the Republic of Congo, Guinea, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritius will have the chance to «discuss gaming regulation, particularly in terms of security, legal, and tax aspects», according to SOREC.
Speaking to Yabiladi during the inauguration, SOREC Director General Omar Skalli noted, «This third edition is particularly special. This year, we’re inviting sponsors from SOREC and the Association of African Lotteries to attend and host an exhibition at the Marrakech Stud.This is an opportunity for these technical sponsors to share their innovations and IT technologies with African lottery associations and professionals. On Saturday, we will have races», Skalli added.
On the other hand, ALA President Dramane Coulibaly told Yabiladi, «the major innovation this year is the addition of a seminar and an exhibition. After the opening ceremony, you saw the doors open to the public. Tomorrow, we’ll continue with a seminar on gaming regulation». «Things are off to a good start», he noted.
«It is crucial for us as Africans to promote South-South cooperation. Today, Africans must begin by supporting one another before seeking assistance elsewhere», said Claude Solange Tshibaka, head of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s National Lottery Corporation (SONAL), who is also attending the event.
This edition’s program is enabling these African delegations to exchange expertise and address current issues in horse racing and lotteries. The event also includes an exhibition area where industry experts showcase their activities and present innovative technical solutions.
It is worth noting that the Grand Prix d'Afrique (GPA) is an annual event aimed at promoting horse racing in Africa and strengthening ties among African lotteries. After a decade in Vincennes, France, the GPA moved to Marrakech in 2022, raising the event’s international profile.
