Morocco Continues to Guide Africa’s Digital, AI Transformation

Mohammedia – Dakhla has put Morocco’s technological and energy vision at the center stage once again, thanks to two major agreements reached on the fringes of the annual MDSahara Forum, which took place between November 13-16. The two initiatives are geared at turning Southern Morocco into a technological and clean energy hub within Morocco and Africa.

The signing ceremony was led by Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, together with Leila Benali, Energy Transition Minister.

They were accompanied by Ali Khalil, Wali of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Regional Council President Yanja El Khattat, and other representatives from the New & Renewable Energy Research Center and Ibn Zohr University.

The agreements were hailed as a continuation of Morocco’s vision for development in the Sahara region, reflective of the momentum generated by the Green March and Morocco’s strategic approach to enhance sovereignty in both the digital and energy sectors.

The first agreement is regarding the inauguration of the “Igoudar Dajla” Green Data Center, which is a state-of-the-art digital hub to be fueled exclusively by renewable energy resources.

The project aims to offer national and global data hosting, cloud storage, and computing services. The project features natural cooling and optimized engineering to minimize energy consumption.

This project is seen to benefit Morocco by improving its competitiveness within the global data market, while also constructing a domestic value chain with expertise in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

The construction of this data center is also intended to enhance Dakhla’s role as a low-carbon digital hub within the southern regions.

The second agreement provides a background on how the establishment of the Jazari Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Energy Transition will take place.

This is an academic and scientific institutional setting that is concerned with artificial intelligence, IoT, and energy-related emerging technologies.

The training is focused on algorithms, big data, and energy management efficiency, with research platforms and experiments being conducted by companies adopting AI.

Besides training, the main purpose of this institute is to build an ecosystem of innovation within Dakhla, offering assistance to startups and engaging researchers and students in practical applications related to regional needs.

The main domains of priority relate to renewable energy, seawater desalination, green hydrogen technology, and smart energy management.

Together, both agreements strengthen Morocco’s vision to make its Southern Provinces a gateway to sustainable innovations on the continent where technology, clean energy, and human resources meet to drive Morocco’s next chapter.