Aziz Akhannouch, the Prime Minister of Morocco, stated that “this year’s edition of the GITEX Africa exhibition takes place at a pivotal moment in our contemporary history, marked by the growing presence of artificial intelligence in our daily lives, which represents a radical shift in all aspects of life, our economies, our institutions, and our social concepts, raising questions about sovereignty, governance, employment, democracy, and justice.”
Akhannouch added in a recorded speech broadcast at the opening of the third edition of the GITEX Africa exhibition in Marrakech that “the Kingdom of Morocco is actively engaging in international forums to advocate for ethical, inclusive, and organized artificial intelligence that respects human rights and the confidentiality of information and personal data, serving the common good in light of a rise in several reprehensible practices, primarily cyberattacks.”
He noted that this situation “drives us to collectively consider mechanisms to enhance our cybersecurity and protect our systems from these unethical behaviors,” explaining that “during the recent work summit on artificial intelligence, the Kingdom expressed a clear position, asserting that Africa cannot remain merely a testing ground but must be an active player and a productive entrepreneur.”
He continued: “Morocco has chosen to bet on digitization for years and has made it a national priority thanks to the royal directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. These directives have served as a compass to launch the national strategy ‘Digital Morocco 2030,’ focusing on two main pillars; the first relates to establishing a digital administration that serves citizens and businesses, while the second concerns creating a digital economy that generates wealth and stimulates innovation and employment.”
In his speech, the Prime Minister noted that “the country has launched a number of reforms, most notably signing agreements with global digital companies to enhance our national human capital and attract investments, in addition to launching mechanisms that can accommodate startups and enhance service relocation offers, especially in high-value added areas, as well as establishing a regulatory framework conducive to innovation, particularly facilitating startup access to public contracts.”
Regarding GITEX Africa, which is being hosted in Marrakech for the third consecutive year, Akhannouch said that “this distinguished exhibition has succeeded in becoming the heartbeat of innovation on our African continent and a platform for the exchange of ideas and the outlining of ambitions, as well as a venue for unifying wills and efforts.”
He added that the exhibition represents “a meeting point between the present and the future and a showcase for African talents and the exchange of ideas,” emphasizing the importance of “uniting efforts so that countries on the continent find in digital technology a tool for liberation and sovereignty; the time for mere fascination with technology has ended, and now is the time for action and cooperation to make an impact.”
Akhannouch continued, explaining in his speech, which was listened to by a gathering of African company representatives and international exhibitors: “Today, we have taken clear steps armed with determination, resolve, and a clear vision to make digital technology a means for profound transformation and a lever for competitiveness and a tool for achieving social justice.”
According to the Moroccan government official, “Africa cannot settle for merely following global trends; it is called upon to be active through participation, thought, and innovation. What we need in this context is cooperation, investment, and integration,” highlighting that the continent must “focus on developing its digital data, connecting rural areas to the internet, and training talents in artificial intelligence and data, because we want a continent that does not suffer from the impacts of digital revolutions but harnesses them to serve its people.”
