Ph. Pierre René-Worms - RFI ‹ › The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) hosted in Morocco sparked a remarkable surge in international spending, with cross-border transactions from participating countries skyrocketing by 190%. According to a report released by Visa this Friday, this spike was «largely fueled by visitors from Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo». «These visitors alone contributed to over 60% of the growth. Across all markets, travelers from France, the United States, and the United Kingdom accounted for nearly half of the overall increase», the statement highlighted. The analysis spans the period from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, as observed by the Visa Consulting & Analytics team's Retail Spend Monitor. The data reveals that «all six host cities experienced a rise in incoming spending from all visitor markets, with Rabat (+70%), Tangier (+55%), and Casablanca (+50%) seeing the most significant increases». The report also notes that «spending by short-term visitors (1 to 4 days) from participating countries climbed by 120%, while spending by long-term visitors (5 days or more) soared by 210%». Furthermore, sports-related expenditures surged by 45%, driven by «a boost in merchandise purchases by fans and heightened activity in sports clubs». Domestic spending mirrored this trend, rising by 55% in meal deliveries and grocery shopping. Sami Romdhane, General Manager of Visa Morocco, commented that these figures «illustrate a positive and widespread dynamic across key sectors, from international transactions and short-term stays to sports-related purchases and domestic spending». They provide insight into «how fans and visitors chose to engage with Morocco during this spectacular tournament».
