Strengthening Digital Ties: The EU-Morocco Digital Dialogue
On April 8, 2023, the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco solidified their partnership in the digital realm by inaugurating the EU-Morocco Digital Dialogue. This groundbreaking initiative reflects a shared commitment to leveraging the power of digital technologies, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions aimed at cultivating a digital economy and society that serves the interests of all citizens. The Digital Dialogue is designed to enhance collaboration in critical areas such as AI development, support for emerging digital startups, the creation of secure and reliable digital infrastructures, and the interoperability of public digital infrastructures, which includes digital wallet solutions.
The launch event took place during Gitex Africa, a significant technology exhibition held in Marrakech from April 7 to 9, 2023. Leading the announcement were Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, and Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, the Minister Delegate responsible for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform. In her remarks, Virkkunen emphasized the importance of this dialogue, stating, "The launch of the Digital Dialogue marks an important moment in the long-standing cooperation between the EU and Morocco. This initiative will prioritize tangible benefits for companies, startups, research institutions, and other stakeholders, ultimately reinforcing the partnership between the EU AI Factories and Morocco's burgeoning AI innovation ecosystem."
Fostering Innovation and Cooperation
Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni's leadership in developing Morocco's AI strategy, which spans both public and private sectors, is a significant milestone for the nation. In a recent interview with Jeune Afrique, she underscored Morocco's strategic collaboration with Europe, highlighting its candidacy as a potential site for one of the fifteen AI factories envisioned in the European AI Action Plan. Furthermore, she noted that her ministry has entered into an agreement with the European Commission, aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for cooperation in data management, data centers, algorithms, and related fields.
The EU-Morocco agreement is poised to facilitate a series of targeted research collaborations between Moroccan and European laboratories, fostering innovation and enhancing the digital landscape. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the EU-Morocco Association Agreement, which has seen both entities commit to revitalizing their partnership and promoting the Pact for the Mediterranean, a framework focused on digital sector cooperation launched in Barcelona on November 28, 2025. In conjunction with the Digital Dialogue, Virkkunen and Seghrouchni signed an arrangement to bolster AI ecosystems for innovation.
The dialogue aims to develop secure digital networks for AI alongside Digital Public Infrastructure, promote the exchange of best practices regarding AI computing infrastructures, and encourage collaboration between Moroccan and EU AI research institutes. Additionally, it seeks to enhance e-Governance interoperability and provide support for startups with relevant solutions.
The initial phase of the agreement is already in progress, with four European supercomputing centers—BSC, CINECA, GENCI, and LUMI—expressing their intent to collaborate with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, which hosts Africa’s most advanced supercomputer. This partnership is expected to strengthen the ‘Digital Morocco 2030’ strategy for digital public services, leveraging the successful introduction of the Medusa Submarine Cable System in Nador. Moreover, it may pave the way for further cooperation programs between the EU and Morocco aimed at bolstering this strategy and enhancing the local startup ecosystem.
As reported by europeaninterest.eu.
