Rabat – Digital experts from Morocco and India convened today at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) to explore how technological innovation can enhance public services.
Drawing inspiration from India’s successful Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the “Exploring Digital Public Infrastructure for Morocco” conference set the stage to develop an innovative approach to boost national digital transformation to support citizens.
Speaking at the conference, Jalal Charaf, UM6P’s Chief Digital Officer, said that DPI “represents more than technology—it’s a pathway to national innovation and inclusive growth.”
The event, which brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, and technology sectors, was an opportunity to discuss strategies for comprehensive digital development.
In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Charaf said that the conference is an opportunity to learn from India’s successful experience with DPI. “That’s why we organized this workshop and this conference where we discussed, we learned, we heard them tell us the stories that they actually lived in India,” he explained.
India’s digital journey as a guidebook, not a copy
Also speaking to MWN, Noureddine Boutayeb, President of the Moroccan Preschool Foundation, outlined DPI’s critical components, namely digital identification, digital payments, and digital document exchange. “These layers can simplify citizens’ daily interactions,” Boutayeb said.
The conference drew parallels with India’s transformative digital journey, where 80% of 1.4 billion people are now integrated into the formal financial system. However, experts noted that DPI cannot be directly copied but must be tailored to Morocco‘s specific needs and goals.
A key participant in the conference, MC Ramesh, CEO of the Center for Open Societal Systems (COSS), shared India’s experience in DPI with MWN, pointing to the core principles of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
“Our focus is ensuring technology benefits the entire population, not just the top 20%,” Ramesh explained.
He stated that their DPI approach prioritizes privacy, security, and scalability.
Read also: Morocco Drives Africa’s Digital Revolution with Strategic Investments
Siddharth Prakash, Head of Product Strategy, Emerging Markets at Google Cloud, presented on Google Cloud’s his company’s key digital tools that facilitate citizens’ daily operations.
Prakash also demonstrated Google Cloud’s innovative solutions, including Gemini-powered “DPI-In-A-Box” that could accelerate Morocco’s digital transformation.
Morocco’s digital evolution
Morocco has already made significant strides. Approximately 20 million Moroccans now have digital identification, with 11 million receiving medical benefits and 7 million accessing scholarships through this system.
Participants expressed that successful digital infrastructure goes beyond technological implementation. It requires a holistic approach that considers social inclusion, accessibility, and citizens’ diverse needs.
“We’re not just implementing technology,” Charaf concluded to MWN. “We’re creating a digital ecosystem that can improve lives, enhance service delivery, and drive economic growth.”
The conference marks a significant step in Morocco’s digital evolution, signaling the country’s commitment to leveraging technology for broader societal progress.
