Marrakech – Orange Maroc inaugurated its new generation “Orange Tech” Data Center on Wednesday, elevating Morocco’s digital landscape with a clear move toward sovereign, enterprise-centric infrastructure.
The facility was opened in the presence of Jalal Benhayoun, Governor of Nouaceur Province, alongside public and private sector representatives.
The Data Center features an initial capacity of 1.5 MW across 15,000 square meters. The facility obtained certification from the UPTIME Institute and incorporates over 1,000 solar panels generating 700 kWc, enabling significant self-consumption and reducing CO2 emissions.
Orange Tech represents a cornerstone of Orange Maroc’s multicloud strategy, which already includes private, hybrid, and public cloud solutions through strategic partnerships with AWS and Microsoft. The infrastructure aims to support sovereign cloud development and strengthen Morocco’s digital sovereignty.
CEO Hendrik Kasteel stressed the operator’s role in the country’s digital transformation. “We are not investing to be spectators. We are investing to be an engine of Vision 2030,” he told the press.
The executive noted that the day’s announcements regarding 5G, the data center, and artificial intelligence form part of a comprehensive vision developed over five years.
The telecommunications company repositioned B2B services at the center of its strategy. Mohamed Bennis, B2B Sales Director, explained that 80% of decision-makers believe operators must go beyond simple connectivity. The B2B offering encompasses connectivity, cloud services, dedicated IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity solutions.
Orange Maroc deployed “Live Intelligence” in late October, a sovereign generative AI platform developed by Orange Business Services.
The solution allows enterprises to create their own intelligent agents in a secure environment. “Public AI does not suit all professional uses. We offer a sovereign and secure alternative,” Bennis told the press.
The company launched Orange Pro, targeting small businesses and independent professionals who represent the majority of Morocco’s economic fabric. The platform provides assistance within one minute, complete digital management, dedicated 5G offerings, and access to the Maxit ecosystem.
The operator celebrates 25 years in Morocco
According to the B2B sales director, Orange Maroc demonstrated advanced use cases, including logistics operations management at Africa’s largest port via Orange’s private network, remote telemedicine operations, and cloud services for universities and industrial enterprises.
The 5G network enables millisecond latency for remote industrial or medical operations in mining, heavy industry, and smart cities, he added.
The operator has invested over MAD 100 billion ($10 billion) cumulatively, representing 25% of annual revenue. Infrastructure developments include fiber coverage for more than 2 million households and an upcoming submarine cable connecting Morocco to Europe, expected in mid-December.
Orange Maroc’s sustainability commitment includes achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. The company operates through the Orange Foundation Morocco, focusing on digital access and socio-professional integration for youth and women.
The Data Center inauguration aligns with Morocco’s “Digital Morocco 2030” plan and the New Development Model. Orange Maroc has operated in the North African country for 25 years, positioning itself as a technological precursor and digital transformation partner.
The Live Intelligence platform addresses the growing “Shadow AI” phenomenon, where employees use uncontrolled online AI tools that expose organizations to data leak risks.
The solution enables companies to monitor language model usage, track consumption, and frame applications within a controlled environment.
Orange Business Morocco’s data and AI competency center in Rabat employs 1,100 staff, including 120 data and AI experts and over 500 engineers certified in data, cloud, and security technologies.
These Moroccan experts cover the entire value chain from data governance to AI engineering, cloud services, security, and user experience.
