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Meknes – Fez city officials have unveiled ambitious plans to conduct a major upgrade and expansion of the city’s video surveillance network. The project, led by the Local Development Company Fez Region Planning (FRA), will invest over MAD 140 million ($14 million) to level up urban security infrastructure.
The city has issued two complementary tenders to work in tandem to create a comprehensive security solution. The combined budget exceeds MAD 140 million ($14 million), excluding taxes, and is planned to cover both civil engineering work and technological equipment of the project.
In detail, the first tender focuses on essential groundwork with a budget of MAD 42.21 million ($4.22 million). This phase entails digging trenches, installing fiber optic and electrical conduits, and building support structures for cameras.
Work is set to proceed in two phases, starting with a firm segment costing MAD 15.3 million ($1.53 million), with the project scheduled to be completed in five months. This will be followed by a conditional segment budgeted at MAD 26.9 million ($2,69 million) with a seven-month timeline.
Meanwhile, the second and larger tender tackles the technological aspect, specifically “Strengthening and Extending Fez’s Video Surveillance System.” Valued at MAD 98.01 million ($9.8 million), this contract covers the supply, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of all surveillance equipment.
Tender documents show that this technology implementation will begin with a firm phase budgeted at MAD 45.39 million ($4.53 million), a critical first stage that includes installing key system components such as the video management platform, storage and analysis servers, monitoring stations, and display walls.
Morocco’s spiritual capital’s future camera surveillance security system will feature various camera types, including PTZ dome cameras, license plate readers, facial recognition units, and fixed cameras, along with necessary networking equipment and technical facilities.
The project also includes a conditional phase estimated at MAD 43.62 million ($4.36 million), likely for future expansion of system capabilities or geographic coverage. Two additional conditional phases, each budgeted at MAD 4.5 million ($0,45 million), will provide essential maintenance services to ensure the system’s long-term effectiveness and reliability.
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This comprehensive surveillance initiative forms part of a broader urban development strategy for Morocco’s spiritual capital.
Rabat has also launched a similar project to have an advanced surveillance system with 4,000 AI-powered cameras capable of recognizing facial identities by the end of 2025. The project’s budget is valued at MAD 108 million ($10.8 million), and it is destined to upgrade Morocco’s capital into a smart, secure city through cutting-edge technology.
This project prompted the Moroccan National Commission for the Protection of Personal Data (CNDP) to raise questions over privacy issues related to video surveillance.
The CNDP plans to hold hearings to forge regulations that protect privacy in the use of video surveillance. “The use of video surveillance is now a key issue, covering various aspects such as the protection of public and private spaces, the recording of events for research or security purposes, and risk prevention,” it said in a statement.
However, beyond enhancing citizen safety and property protection, the video surveillance projects are crucial in preparing Moroccan cities for major international sporting events, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
