Morocco's Vision for a Collaborative Future in AI
Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, the Moroccan Minister Delegate to the Head of Government responsible for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, has extended a significant olive branch to Spain, advocating for a robust technological alliance centered around artificial intelligence (AI). In an interview with elEconomista.es during the Casablanca Business Forum (CBF)—an exclusive event that attracted elite business and political figures—Seghrouchni emphasized the importance of initiating initiatives that would yield mutual benefits for both nations. As a prominent expert in AI within Morocco, she is keen on establishing direct links between Spain's innovative ecosystem and Morocco's expanding network of technological centers, known as the Jazari Institutes.
These Jazari Institutes are part of Morocco's strategic framework aimed at transforming AI into a national capability. Named in honor of Al Jazarí, a 12th-century scholar recognized as the father of automata and a pioneer in hydraulic engineering, these institutes serve to bridge research, training, innovation, and industry, addressing the specific needs of the country. This initiative is a crucial element of the 'Maroc IA 2030' strategy, which aims to generate an additional value of 100 billion dirhams (approximately 9.3 billion euros) to the GDP, create 50,000 jobs, and train 200,000 individuals in the field of AI.
Strengthening Ties Amid Global Challenges
The Jazari network is designed to have at least one center of excellence in each of Morocco's twelve regions, tailored to meet local challenges. For instance, the institute in Marrakech focuses on smart city solutions, applying AI to urban traffic management, while the central node in Rabat-Salé coordinates the global network and spearheads the digitization of public administration. Minister Seghrouchni expressed a strong desire for collaborations that foster value across both shores, highlighting the historical and social ties between Morocco and Spain that persist despite recent tensions. She remarked, "We share many things. Morocco and Spain have a long-standing tradition of collaboration, and today families are split between both nations. Therefore, it is essential to create these corridors, and I believe that innovation can be an excellent starting point for these collaborative initiatives."
This bilateral cooperation proposal is gaining urgency as Morocco, Spain, and Portugal prepare to co-host the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Following meetings in Madrid and Lisbon, Seghrouchni confirmed that the three countries are exploring digitalization and accessibility initiatives that extend beyond the realm of sports. Notably, they are considering the development of interoperable digital wallet systems, enabling a Spanish citizen traveling to Morocco to utilize their financial and administrative services seamlessly. The minister believes that this major football event could serve as an ideal catalyst to accelerate projects focused on connectivity, digital infrastructure, and shared innovation.
Morocco's technological roadmap is anchored in its Digital Strategy 2030, which was launched in 2024 and reinforced in 2025 through the national plan known as "EA Morocco." This strategy emphasizes regulation, governance, talent development, and the advancement of AI capabilities. In national assembly meetings, the government has prioritized thirteen essential sectors for deploying smart solutions, including healthcare, education, agriculture, food security, finance, and defense. The roadmap also highlights the need for a human capital formation strategy starting from early education through university levels, alongside coding schools and reskilling programs.
The Moroccan government is also executing an ambitious plan for data centers and connectivity, including the construction of a massive 500-megawatt data center in Dakhla, powered entirely by renewable energy sources. This project aims to position Morocco as a 'data embassy' for allied nations, ensuring sovereign data storage and computing capabilities. Additionally, a 50-megawatt data center in Rabat will focus on administrative information, complementing a 5G network rollout that aims to cover between 75% and 80% of the territory ahead of the World Cup. These developments reflect the government’s commitment to achieving digital progress at a unified pace, avoiding social or territorial gaps in connectivity, healthcare, and education.
Furthermore, Morocco seeks to solidify its position as a strategic enclave by engaging in digital dialogue with the European Union, aspiring to become the thirteenth 'AI Factory' on the continent and attracting investments from global leaders like Mistral AI. This extensive framework aims to enhance Morocco's ambition to serve as a natural bridge between Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the United States.
As reported by eleconomista.es.
