Morocco Strengthens Its Digital Sovereignty and Places Artificial Intelligence at the Heart of Transformation During the North Africa Internet Forum
The Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal Al-Falih Al-Sghroushni, affirmed Morocco’s efforts to strengthen digital sovereignty, enhance cybersecurity, and keep pace with global transformations related to artificial intelligence during the opening session of the ninth annual meeting of the North Africa Internet Governance Forum.
In her address, the minister highlighted the current context, which is witnessing profound changes in the internet governance system, incorporating issues of data, artificial intelligence, and the protection of digital rights into the global discussion.
Al-Sghroushni explained that the ministry is working, in line with royal directives, to implement the “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy, aimed at enhancing the national digital infrastructure and developing secure and transparent public services based on data exchange, digital identity, and national cloud solutions.
She added that these initiatives align with the forum’s priorities of expanding access to digital services, enhancing cybersecurity, building trust in the digital space, and supporting innovation and digital entrepreneurship, enabling Morocco to play a proactive role in the regional internet governance system.
The minister indicated that the ministry is preparing a roadmap for artificial intelligence, along with a roadmap for administrative transformation for 2026–2030, to address global changes and place artificial intelligence at the center of discussions about data governance, emerging technologies, and digital responsibility.
She noted that these projects aim to develop national skills for handling advanced technologies, modernize public sector work methods, and ensure that national policies align with international standards, particularly regarding artificial intelligence ethics and user rights.
Additionally, the minister emphasized structural projects that reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to building a sustainable and secure digital space, including the green data center project in Dakhla (Ecodar), which enhances digital sovereignty and provides a regional data platform based on renewable energy.
Al-Sghroushni stressed the importance of regional cooperation to promote shared digital sovereignty, affirming the need for a harmonious regional environment, common methodologies, and a closer vision regarding user rights, data sovereignty, skill development, and attracting digital investments.
She mentioned the launch of the “Digital Morocco for Sustainable Development” (D4SD) initiative by the Ministry of Digital Transition in strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, which represents an Arab–African initiative to support sustainable digital transformation through regional institutions that produce knowledge, enhance innovation, and provide platforms for South-South cooperation.
The minister confirmed that youth and women are the driving force behind the digital community, urging their empowerment in shaping digital policies through experience sharing, capacity development, and participation in international discussions about the future of the internet and artificial intelligence.
She concluded by stating that the current phase is reshaping the global digital rules of play, emphasizing that our region must be active in formulating digital policies, not merely a recipient, and reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and building an open, secure, and responsible digital space centered on innovation and human-centric transformation.
