Rabat: Morocco has taken significant steps towards advancing its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities through a series of agreements aimed at establishing an efficient and ethical AI strategy. Initialled by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform alongside various institutional and academic partners, these agreements are set to lay a robust foundation for AI development in the country.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, and the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mohamed Saad Berrada. This partnership aims to integrate digital technologies into educational curricula, develop digital skills among educators and students, and foster innovation in schools and sports facilities.
Furthermore, Seghrouchni and Cr©dit Agricole du Maroc Group’s Board Chairman, Mohamed Fikrat, signed an agreement for a digital inclusion program. This program is specifically designed to enhance access to e-services, digitize agricultural very small enterprises (VSEs), and support rural innovation, indicating a strong focus on digital integration in agriculture.
On the employment front, another MoU was signed between the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform and the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, led by Younes Sekkouri. This agreement aims to facilitate professional integration through AI solutions, establish job market analysis platforms, and support professional retraining and SMEs.
The creation of an “Al Jazari Institute” Center of Excellence in AI and technological innovation in Nador was formalized through a MoU signed by Seghrouchni and several regional leaders. This center will focus on certification training, applied research, and integration of AI into key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and energy.
Additionally, a strategic partnership in the field of data centers was launched between Seghrouchni and Hicham El Habti, President of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). This agreement is committed to fostering research, innovation, training, and sustainability in data management, emphasizing digital sovereignty.
An agreement with the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, aims to synergize national digital and energy transition strategies. This partnership focuses on constructing energy-efficient data centers with renewable energy sources and circular economy principles.
The Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform also collaborated with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) under the Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) initiative. This aims to position Morocco as a leader in digital transformation, promoting inclusive digitalization across Arab and African regions.
Finally, an agreement with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) led by Deemah Al Yahya was established to promote human-centered digitalization. This involves initiatives like the We-Elevate program to support Moroccan SMEs and the Green Cloud Morocco initiative to build sustainable digital infrastructures.
These agreements underscore Morocco’s ambition to become a key player in international digital ecosystems, advocating for technological innovation, economic inclusion, and environmental responsibility. The First National Conference on AI, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, served as the backdrop for these landmark agreements, highlighting the theme of developing an efficient and ethical AI strategy to benefit society.