Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Launches NextGen Manufacturing Africa Summit to Enhance Morocco’s Position as an Industrial Hub for the Continent
On Tuesday, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University kicked off the NextGen Manufacturing Summit Africa at its campus in Ben Guerir. This two-day event brings together industrialists, decision-makers, researchers, and technology experts to discuss the future of the African industry and pathways toward Industry 4.0.
The summit is organized by UM6P TECHNIX in collaboration with Deutsche Messe AG / Hannover Messe and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through its AISMA alliance, aiming to establish Morocco as an industrial and academic center linking Africa with innovation networks in Europe, Asia, and beyond.
The summit aspires to become the leading African platform specialized in the Future of Manufacturing, focusing on two main goals: accelerating the digital transformation of institutions and preparing African talents for emerging jobs. Key topics at the summit include artificial intelligence, automation, industrial cybersecurity, sustainability, standards, and financing models.
A smart factory academy is set to be established in Casablanca as part of the summit’s initiatives. This innovation and training center will offer advanced programs in robotics, automation, digitization, and cybersecurity, providing a live lab for companies to experiment with and develop solutions aligned with Industry 4.0 requirements.
Preparations for the Industrial Transformation Africa 2026 exhibition were also announced in Casablanca. This continent-wide event, endorsed by Hannover Messe, will gather industrialists, startups, investors, and public institutions to tackle challenges related to competitiveness and sustainability.
Mohammed Leklalech, the general director of UM6P TECHNIX, emphasized the continental nature of the project, underlining the university’s commitment to developing the competencies that will lead the industrial transformation in Africa. He stated that the summit reflects the university’s belief that the continent is capable of building competitive models based on innovation, technology, and human resources.
Thomas Rilke, a representative from Hannover Messe, highlighted the international dimension of the initiative, clarifying that industrial transformation is not a regional challenge but a global movement, and that European expertise will help connect industrial systems and promote a smart and sustainable industry in Africa.
Rafik Faqi, a representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, concluded by stating that Africa possesses the talent, ambition, and energy necessary to address the challenges of Industry 4.0, emphasizing that the summit represents a critical stage in transforming this potential into tangible achievements.
