Morocco is preparing to roll out a national artificial intelligence roadmap designed to modernise public services, strengthen digital sovereignty and generate up to $10 billion in economic value by the end of the decade, officials said.
The strategy, dubbed “Maroc IA 2030,” is expected to provide a structured framework for the development and governance of artificial intelligence across the North African country. It seeks to position AI as a central driver of competitiveness, innovation and administrative reform, according to Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Morocco’s minister delegate in charge of digital transition and administrative reform.
Speaking ahead of the “AI Made in Morocco” event held in Rabat on January 12, Seghrouchni said the roadmap aims to harness AI to improve the efficiency of public services, enhance interoperability between digital systems and support Morocco’s long-term economic ambitions.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly viewed by Moroccan authorities as a strategic technology capable of transforming public administration, boosting productivity and supporting the emergence of new industries. The government hopes the roadmap will help the country keep pace with rapid technological change while reducing dependence on foreign digital solutions.
At the heart of Maroc IA 2030 are five strategic priorities: ensuring technological independence, building trust in the use of AI, developing national skills, supporting local innovation and guaranteeing balanced territorial deployment of digital technologies. Officials say this approach is designed to ensure that AI benefits extend beyond major urban centres and contribute to inclusive growth.
A flagship component of the plan is the creation of Al-Jazari Institutes, a national network of centres of excellence dedicated to artificial intelligence. Named after the medieval engineer and inventor Al-Jazari, the institutes are intended to link academic research, technological innovation and the needs of regional economic actors.
According to the ministry, these centres will serve as hubs for research, training and applied innovation, helping to translate scientific advances into practical solutions for industry and public services. They are also expected to play a role in talent development, addressing skills shortages in advanced digital fields.
The AI roadmap builds on Digital Morocco 2030, a broader digital transformation strategy launched in September 2024. That programme places emerging technologies, including AI, at the core of Morocco’s development model and targets the creation of around 240,000 digital jobs by 2030.
Authorities estimate that the combined impact of digital transformation and AI adoption could contribute roughly $10 billion to Morocco’s gross domestic product by the end of the decade, while improving the quality and accessibility of public services.
Morocco has already made progress in international benchmarks. In 2025, the country improved its position by 14 places in the global AI Government Readiness Index, ranking 87th worldwide and eighth in the Middle East and North Africa region. Officials say Maroc IA 2030 is designed to accelerate this momentum and position Morocco as a regional leader in responsible AI adoption.
The roadmap also includes institutional reforms. The government plans to establish a General Directorate for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, tasked with coordinating AI-related public policy, setting standards and ensuring coherence across ministries.
In addition, Morocco intends to create an Arab-African regional digital hub in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative aims to foster sustainable digital innovation, encourage regional cooperation and support the diffusion of best practices across Africa and the Arab world.
Morocco’s push mirrors a broader trend across the continent. Countries such as Egypt, Rwanda and Kenya have launched national AI strategies or strengthened institutional frameworks to accelerate adoption of the technology in both the economy and public administration. These initiatives often combine investment in skills, centres of excellence and regulatory frameworks designed to encourage innovation while addressing ethical and security concerns.
Experts caution, however, that translating ambitious AI strategies into tangible results will require sustained investment, strong governance and careful management of risks such as data protection, algorithmic bias and unequal access to technology.
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For Moroccan authorities, the stakes are high. If successfully implemented, Maroc IA 2030 could enhance economic competitiveness, create high-skilled jobs, improve the efficiency of public services and strengthen Morocco’s position in the continental and global technology landscape.
As the roadmap moves from vision to execution, the challenge will be to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes not just a policy priority, but a practical tool delivering measurable benefits for citizens and businesses alike.
