Morocco aims to build an information society by significantly integrating ICT into all sectors of the economy by 2030. To realize this vision, a strategic roadmap has been developed, with clear objectives and concrete actions to be implemented.
On Wednesday, September 25, Morocco officially unveiled its national strategy, "Digital Morocco 2030," an ambitious roadmap aimed at transforming the kingdom into a regional and international digital hub by 2030. The strategy is built around two main pillars and key objectives to accelerate economic and social development through digital transformation, while enhancing the country's global competitiveness.
Digital Job Creation and Training
A major goal of this strategy is the large-scale creation of jobs in the digital sector. To support this initiative, the government has allocated an investment of 11 billion dirhams ($1.14 billion) between 2024 and 2026. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch outlined Morocco’s aim to train 100,000 young people annually in digital professions, a significant increase from the 14,000 trained in 2022. The objective is to create 240,000 jobs in the digital sector by 2030, addressing the growing demand for skilled workers.
Digitization of Public Services Through AI
Another critical pillar of the strategy focuses on the digitization of public services. Morocco aims to improve its global ranking in the United Nations' e-Government Development Index, seeking to move from 90th to 50th place by 2030. The country has already taken concrete steps by digitizing 600 public services: 300 for citizens, 200 for businesses, and 100 for government agencies. Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in optimizing these services. Planned AI-based solutions will automate administrative processes and analyze data to anticipate user needs and improve service quality.
Boosting the Digital Economy and Promoting Exports
The "Digital Morocco 2030" strategy also emphasizes developing the digital economy. One key objective is to increase digital export revenues, which are expected to rise from 17.9 billion dirhams in 2023 to 40 billion by 2030. To achieve this, Morocco plans to expand outsourcing services, establish 3,000 startups by 2030 (1,000 of them by 2026), and raise 7 billion dirhams in funding. The country also aims to foster the emergence of one or two unicorn companies, which would significantly enhance its attractiveness in technology and innovation.
Strengthening Digital Infrastructure: 5G and Fiber Optics
Developing digital infrastructure is another central aspect of the strategy. Morocco aims for 70% nationwide 5G coverage and plans to connect 5.6 million households to fiber optics. Additionally, improving internet access in 1,800 rural communities is a priority, ensuring an inclusive digital transition and bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas. The government also intends to establish a sovereign cloud, a crucial infrastructure to enhance the country's technological independence and secure national data.
Strategic Partnerships and Offshoring Development
The rollout of "Digital Morocco 2030" began with the signing of several partnership agreements between the Ministry of Digital Transition, public institutions, and private sector stakeholders. Among these partnerships is a program contract for developing offshoring, a sector in which Morocco seeks to become a leader. Other partnerships focus on strengthening vocational training in digital professions and attracting more investments in information technology. In the coming years, Morocco aims to forge numerous strategic partnerships across various digital fields.
The "Digital Morocco 2030" strategy represents a major turning point for the country, as it strives to become a key digital hub in Africa and beyond. By combining efforts in training, infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and the growth of the digital economy, Morocco is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals.
Samira Njoya
