Transforming Morocco's Mining Sector with Digital Innovation
At the recent GITEX Africa event held in Marrakech, Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, officially inaugurated the Kingdom's digital mining cadastre. This significant announcement marks the culmination of a long-term initiative aimed at enhancing transparency and modernizing a crucial sector in Morocco's economy. The mining industry contributes a substantial 10% to the nation’s GDP and accounts for about 20% of non-phosphate exports, providing over 40,000 direct jobs. However, for decades, the management of Morocco's underground resources has been hindered by an outdated administrative system characterized by complex archives and lengthy wait times for approvals. As articulated by Minister Benali, much of the sector's potential has been 'buried under mountains of paperwork.'
The introduction of the digital mining cadastre aims to revolutionize the management of mining titles in Morocco by integrating geological potential, territorial data, and legal frameworks into one cohesive platform. This initiative not only seeks to modernize the mining sector but also to honor Morocco's legacy as a vibrant hub for trade and minerals, ushering in a new era for this essential pillar of the national economy.
The announcement made on April 7th is the result of a process that began well before 2026. In November 2024, during the Marrakech Declaration on the Valorization of Virtuous Mineral Materials, over 40 African nations committed to promoting responsible mining practices. Morocco made pledges that would shape the future direction of its mining sector. By December 2024, in front of the House of Representatives, Benali laid the foundation for a national strategy which included the establishment of a fully dematerialized national register capable of handling around 40 procedures that were previously managed at physical counters. The goal was set for the digital cadastre to be operational by the first quarter of 2026, accompanied by a comprehensive roadmap that included legislative updates, renewed calls for tenders, and a revision of licensing conditions.
Innovative Features and Social Commitment
In November 2025, during the presentation of the 2026 Finance Bill before parliament, Benali publicly set the deadline for the cadastre to be online by Spring 2026. She outlined the project's scope, which included transitioning approximately 40 procedures—from permit applications to tracking ongoing titles—into a digital format. The initiative also aims to alleviate the bureaucratic burden disproportionately affecting small-scale miners, who often feel overwhelmed by cumbersome formalities. Shortly thereafter, at the International Mining Congress in Marrakech, the ministry showcased a prototype of the platform, with the goal of shedding light on the true state of the national mining sector, a field long affected by administrative gray areas.
On the technical side, the construction of the integrated information system advanced concurrently, with a consortium of three Moroccan firms—Omnidata, Veviosy, and Agilius Systems—selected to develop the digital mining cadastre for a contract worth 9.74 million dirhams (MDH). This mission encompasses not only geology and mining but also hydrocarbons and electric energy self-production, including the modeling of business processes and the establishment of data management standards.
The features of the digital mining cadastre, as announced at GITEX 2026, are designed to fundamentally transform sector management. One key feature is automated spatial control, allowing the platform to verify the geographical consistency of permit applications, effectively resolving territorial overlaps and disputes that have historically impeded investments. Another groundbreaking innovation is the overlaying of data, which Minister Benali referred to as 'Making the Invisible Visible.' This system merges geoscientific data, mapping, and zoning for solar and wind energy. Investors will now have clear access to territorial insights, converting decades of archives into a seamless, instantaneous system. The rule is now the same for all players in the sector.
Artificial intelligence is also being harnessed to ensure immediate legal security in processing applications through automated compliance analysis. The platform will facilitate online payment of administrative fees, the digitalization and electronic signing of documents, and the generation of reports and dashboards for activity management and skill transfer.
Moreover, interoperability has been a key consideration from the outset, with interfaces planned for existing ministry systems, including user directories, geographic information systems (GIS), and mail management applications. This digital project is not merely about administrative modernization; it reflects a broader vision rooted in two foundational aspects: environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and a continental ambition. Each mining project will be expected to genuinely benefit local communities and uphold environmental standards, aligning with Morocco's commitment made during the Marrakech Declaration to advocate for responsible mining across the continent.
Additionally, Morocco aims to position itself within the One Trade Corridor (OTC), an African framework for traceability and ESG standards for minerals. Minister Benali envisions a model where minerals are extracted in African countries, partially processed locally, then transported to Moroccan facilities powered by renewable energy before being exported under labels that certify adherence to continent-wide standards. The digital cadastre serves as a concrete tool for enhancing visibility and integrating global supply chains transparently.
Notably, Benali's speech at GITEX included an announcement of an additional step to make the system fully accessible to visually impaired individuals, emphasizing that opportunities should not be hindered by physical barriers. This inclusive dimension, often overlooked in public digitalization projects in Morocco, reflects a commitment to going beyond purely technical discourse.
The Moroccan digital mining cadastre aligns with a continental movement; for instance, Côte d'Ivoire launched its 'e-mining cadastre' in September 2025, and Chad initiated a similar project in the same year. Several Sub-Saharan African countries, from Botswana to Ghana and Rwanda, are already utilizing comparable platforms, often developed in collaboration with international service providers.
The success of Morocco's initiative will ultimately be gauged by its real-world application. The adoption by mining operators, the actual fluidity of procedures, tangible reductions in processing times, and most importantly, the ability to attract new investments in a sector regarded as a cornerstone of the Kingdom's economic and industrial sovereignty will serve as the true measures of success. With this announcement at GITEX 2026, Leila Benali is making a political as well as a technological statement. By addressing the mining workers directly in her opening remarks, she sought to ground this project in reality. The real challenge now lies in transforming the promise of digitalization into a tangible mining reality.
As reported by ledesk.ma.
