Morocco claims to be poised to become a digital hub by 2030
Morocco has huge plans to become a digital centre of the world, according to its own media.
Morocco’s 2030 digital transformation plan (Maroc Numerique 2030), reported on by The North Africa Post on July 10th, is promoted by the Moroccan government and media as a catalyst that is to turn the Kingdom into a self-standing digital hub for North Africa. The news comes despite some analysts are skeptical about the plan, considering the comparatively limited investment involved, as well as the competition of the more developed Egyptian data services and those of international providers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
The project budgeted 11 billion dirhams (3 million USD) over 2024-2026, is reported by the government to have focused on training, fibre optic and AI. The government says that the strategy will concentrate investment in the nation’s data storage capacity and AI.
Morocco’s envisioned rise as a digital and economic power is not without glaring challenges. The country has attracted some unwelcome attention in the form of attacks on its cyberspace, reported Maghrebi.org on April 20th. Morocco remains Africa’s top target for Banking trojans, perhaps a testament to its growing digital footprint, and its growing banking sector, however possibly a hint about its lack of cybersecurity savvy.
Following the rise of cyberattacks, Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA) urged reform to address awareness, skill gaps, and regulatory shortfalls. Possibly addressed by Morocco’s partnering with the Chinese tech giant Huawei, a cooperation that promises to boost Moroccan digital skills.
Minister in charge of digital transition and the reform of the administration Amal Fallah Seghrouchni announced the opening of 500 MW data centre in Dakhla. The new centre is, in the eyes of the government, to be the harbinger of Morocco’s self-professed destiny to become a hub for the region’s data needs.
“Through this network of data centres, the kingdom not only asserts its digital sovereignty, but also its ambition to become a regional digital hub serving Africa” Seghrouchni told Reuters which in Morocco, Maghrebi stresses, only reports government friendly ‘reports’ replicating the domestic media model.
In June, a major international consortium led by NVIDIA, Nauer, and Lloyds Capital announced that they will be working together to construct a next-generation AI data centre in Morocco.
The North Africa Post plus agencies, Maghrebi.org
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