Jet Contractors, a construction company listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange, has won the contract to build a protection and valorization center at the Sijilmassa archaeological site. The Culture Ministry selected the firm following an international tender process in which Jet Contractors competed against TGCC, another listed construction company.
Jet Contractors submitted the most economically advantageous offer at 155.9 million dirhams, compared to TGCC’s 161.1 million dirham bid. The project represents a significant investment in preserving one of Morocco’s most historically important archaeological locations.
Listed on the national heritage register since November 2017, the Sijilmassa archaeological site near Oued Ziz and Rissani holds considerable archaeological importance as a commercial crossroads linking numerous civilizations, particularly sub-Saharan African and Moroccan cultures. The ancient city served as a vital hub for trans-Saharan trade routes throughout its history.
Major excavations conducted between 2024 and 2025 at the Tafilalet site revealed ten centuries of urban history under the National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage (INSAP) direction. Archaeologists uncovered a mosque, a madrasa, residential structures, and a gold coin minting workshop, confirming the city’s role as a trans-Saharan crossroads since its eighth-century founding.
The planned protection and valorization center will help preserve these discoveries while making the site more accessible to researchers and visitors. The facility aims to showcase Sijilmassa’s historical significance as a major medieval trading center and cultural exchange point between Mediterranean and sub-Saharan regions. Construction under Jet Contractors’ management will provide modern infrastructure supporting ongoing archaeological research and cultural tourism development in the region. The project aligns with Morocco’s broader strategy to protect and promote its rich archaeological heritage while generating economic benefits through cultural tourism.
