Rabat – Morocco is rising as North Africa’s leader in artificial intelligence through the use of technology supporting innovation across finance, healthcare, and other various sectors.
According to a recent Mastercard report, Morocco is becoming a North African destination for AI centers, due to ambitious national strategies and rising investments in digital and technology personnel.
Artificial intelligence is at the heart of Morocco’s drive to accelerate technologically. AI is a central part of Digital Morocco 2030, a national strategy plan launched by the government to invest MAD 9.95 billion and create 240,000 digital job openings by the end of the decade.
This effort embodies a forward-thinking vision of a sustainable digital ecosystem driven by both public and private sector collaboration. Organizations like Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and innovation-leading startups like DeepEcho are pioneering research and deployment of artificial intelligence solutions, while forums like the MoroccoAI Annual conference drive national conversation around the future of artificial intelligence.
Concrete investments and infrastructures support such aspirations. Construction of special research centers dedicated to artificial intelligence, in addition to special public engineering schools in Taroudant and Berkane, ensures a steady supply of trained personnel to meet the growing demand.
AI applications specific to the financial sector have already reduced transaction handling times by 30%, and it is estimated that Morocco’s digital banking sector will reach revenues of MAD 76.51 billion by 2028.
In healthcare, almost half of Moroccan hospitals use artificial intelligence to schedule appointments, and 30% use it to carry out diagnoses, while robotic surgeries have seen a growth increase between 2020 and 2024 of 30%.
As a frontrunner in artificial intelligence, Morocco is part of a broader continental trend. The Mastercard report points to other major African countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, and stresses that Africa’s market in artificial intelligence will be growing to $16.5 billion (MAD 149.24 billion) in 2030.
Despite the notable progress achieved, difficulties still remain. Data fragmentation, regulatory inconsistencies, and local technology shortages in certain areas can hinder development.
It is emphasized by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC) that a national policy on artificial intelligence is needed to modernize law, boost research, and help startups and small companies.
By integrating long-term planning strategies, the development of new talents, and selective investments, Morocco is well placed to maximize the opportunity represented by artificial intelligence both as a North African technology leader and an enabler of economic growth.
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