Rabat – Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Ghita Mezzour, has outlined Morocco’s advancements and efforts seeking to boost the country’s digital economy in remarks at GITEX Africa 2024, which kicked off today in Marrakech.
In her opening remarks, Mezzour cited the outsourcing sector as a key pillar in boosting Morocco’s digital economy, noting that the turnover of the industry increased from MAD 14.7 billion ($1.4 billion) to MAD 17.9 billion ($1.8 billion) in the past two years.
She said that the 20% increase was achieved thanks to young talents, government support, and significant infrastructure.
The minister continued that the sector receives constant support from her office, adding that several Moroccan startups are active in various technological fields such as AI and cybersecurity.
“Today, we have Moroccan and international companies providing solutions for developing the latest digital technologies to serve the world,” she said, noting that Morocco has advanced 12 places globally in the field to become the 28th in the world and the second-best outsourcing destination in Africa.
Emphasizing the importance of digitalization, Mezzour noted that the government has worked on improving the quality and scope of digital public services. As a result, the North African country now offers 600 digital services to the public.
She also recalled her ministry’s implementation of a program to enhance the training of digital talents in different Moroccan universities and increase the number of graduates to over 71,000 by 2027, with more than 22,000 graduates annually.
Mezzour also stressed the importance of diversifying international partners, recalling a partnership agreement signed in the US with Oracle to employ over 1,000 Moroccan talents to develop cloud solutions and AI technologies.
This year’s edition of GITEX Africa, which will continue until May 31, will feature 15,0000 exhibitors.
The event will serve as a platform for innovative start-ups and small to medium global enterprises to share expertise on the latest technological developments in different fields, including AI, health, and cybersecurity.
On the sidelines of the event, GITEX Africa will also feature an exhibition titled “World Health Future,” dedicated to innovation in the health sector.
The event will mark the participation of international startups specializing in digital health to contribute to the development of the health sector in Africa.
Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch spoke on GITEX Africa today in a speech at the ceremony as an exceptional platform to discuss ways to position the continent as both a producer and consumer of digital technology.
“Today, digital transformation is an indispensable factor in the cooperation among African countries, contributing, in addition to technological development, to economic, social, and political growth in Africa,” Akhannouch said.
