Morocco is accelerating its AI development to gain greater control over digital infrastructure and technology, according to Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni. The "AI Made in Morocco" initiative aims to build a national AI ecosystem, focusing on developing AI models in Arabic, Darija, and Amazigh. This strategy is part of the "Morocco AI 2030" roadmap, which targets MAD 100 billion in contributions to the country's GDP by 2030.
El Fallah Seghrouchni presented the government's vision at the eighth edition of the Assises of the Association of Information Systems Users in Morocco (AUSIM) in Tangier. She emphasized that digital sovereignty is a strategic issue for Morocco's development, as digital technology supports growth across all sectors. Controlling infrastructure and technology layers is crucial for building a digital state and supporting economic and social development.
The "Morocco AI 2030" roadmap outlines several priorities, including sovereign infrastructure, national computing capacity, data, public platforms, a legal framework, innovation, talent development, and international cooperation. El Fallah Seghrouchni called for faster action, as investment in AI becomes increasingly concentrated worldwide, and countries compete to control computing power and technological capabilities.
To achieve its goals, Morocco plans to put sovereign computing resources into service, making them accessible to researchers and startups. The government also aims to advance its legal and institutional framework for AI, develop models in Arabic, Darija, and Amazigh, and train and certify talent on a large scale. Additionally, the government wants to gradually move public services from digital systems toward agentic technology, which can carry out tasks through AI agents.
AUSIM President Mohamed Saad highlighted Tangier's selection as host city, citing its port and industrial infrastructure, strategic location, and openness to different cultures. Saad described Tangier as a turning point between two worlds, reflecting Morocco's ambition to become an AI hub in Africa. He noted that previous AUSIM meetings had addressed data, blockchain, machine learning, and digital transformation, with this year's edition focusing on AI integration into operations and growth plans.
El Fallah Seghrouchni identified four essential factors for achieving Morocco's AI goals: energy, computing capacity, data, and talent. She emphasized that moving quickly could help Morocco and Africa benefit from a technological "leapfrog" effect. The minister also outlined five priority areas for the next stage of the strategy, including developing models in African languages and making sovereign computing resources accessible.
The "AI Made in Morocco" strategy reflects the country's ambition to design its own technology rather than simply use solutions developed elsewhere. With this initiative, Morocco aims to contribute to its economic and social development while keeping its AI development open to international cooperation. The strategy's success will depend on the government's ability to implement its plans and address the challenges associated with AI development.
Key points
- Morocco unveils "AI Made in Morocco" strategy to develop AI models in Arabic, Darija, and Amazigh.
- The strategy aims to strengthen digital sovereignty and control over digital infrastructure, with a goal of MAD 100 billion in contributions to GDP by 2030.
- Morocco plans to develop sovereign computing resources, advance its legal framework for AI, and train and certify talent on a large scale.
