From a small jazz festival…
To one of Africa’s biggest music events.
That’s the journey Jazzablanca has taken over the past 19 years—and according to its founder and president, Moulay Ahmed Alami, the festival is only getting started.
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Speaking to TelQuel, Alami revealed that the 2026 edition is the most ambitious in the festival’s history.
Now spanning 10 days and backed by a budget of more than 100 million Moroccan dirhams, Jazzablanca has reached a scale that would have seemed impossible just a decade ago.
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This year’s lineup reflects that ambition.
Global superstars such as Robbie Williams, Lauryn Hill, Scorpions, Mika, and Keziah Jones share the stage with rising artists and jazz performers, creating a festival that appeals to multiple generations and musical tastes.
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But growth wasn’t instant.
According to Alami, it took 13 years before Jazzablanca became financially sustainable.
Building an international festival required years of investment, risk-taking and continuous improvements before reaching profitability.
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His philosophy is simple:
« I don’t set any limits. »
That mindset has driven the festival to constantly expand—improving its infrastructure, attracting bigger international acts and refining the overall visitor experience year after year.
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Today, Jazzablanca is about much more than music.
It has become a major cultural and economic event for Casablanca, attracting thousands of visitors, boosting tourism and reinforcing Morocco’s reputation as a destination capable of hosting world-class entertainment.
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From an ambitious dream to a festival with a nine-figure budget, Jazzablanca proves that Morocco is no longer just welcoming global artists… it’s becoming one of the world’s emerging music capitals.
