Latest news with #GITEXAfricaMorocco
Maroc
17-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Electronic Payments: Morocco Plans to Create Acquisition Support Fund for Merchants
Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) plans to establish, in the short term, an acquisition support fund to encourage merchants to accept electronic payments, announced the Director General of the Central Bank, Abderrahim Bouazza. "Among the short-term actions to strengthen the payment infrastructure, BAM intends to set up an acquisition support fund to facilitate the acceptance of electronic payments by merchants," Bouazza told MAP, on the sidelines of GITEX Africa Morocco, held from April 14 to 16 in Marrakech. Noting that digital payment adoption among merchants remains low, he stated that the Central Bank aims to implement incentive measures to encourage their adoption of the electronic payment system. In the medium term, BAM aims to leverage existing payment platforms to establish a unified instant payment platform offering a more simplified customer experience," Bouazza added. "The Central Bank is working on implementing more attractive pricing for electronic payments by lowering interchange fees, including those for bank cards, while also considering making cash usage more restrictive in the medium term. These actions will be carried out as part of a broader strategy for the digitalization of payments and fintech development, stemming from a rigorous and thorough diagnostic," he continued. This strategy encompasses several areas, notably the adaptation of the regulatory framework to establish regulation that is proportionate, flexible, yet prudent enough to manage risks. Furthermore, BAM DG addressed the issue of cash in Morocco, pointing out that the potential introduction of a digital currency, the "e-dirham," could address certain challenges, but that the project would require considerable time. "The success of this project would depend on how the public perceives the digital currency. It would need to be as credible and accessible as physical cash," he noted. Regarding crypto-assets, Bouazza stated that the draft law is currently at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which is expected to submit it to a Technical Committee to oversee its adoption process. He emphasized that the technologies underlying crypto-assets could be leveraged for the development of digital financial services. MAP: 16 avril 2025
Maroc
17-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco Embodies Image of ‘Uncomplicated, Focused on Innovation' Africa
Morocco embodies the image of an Africa that is 'uncomplicated and focused on innovation', said Leon Juste Ibonbo, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the Republic of Congo. In an interview with MAP on the sidelines of the 3rd GITEX Africa 2025, Ibombo hailed the Kingdom's dynamic technological innovation, praising Morocco's leadership in digital transformation at the African level. 'GITEX Africa Morocco is attracting not only innovators and startups, but also African decision-makers present in Marrakech,' he added, noting that this mobilization illustrates Morocco's ability to inspire and unite around structuring projects in the digital field. Turning to Africa's digital transition process, Mr. Ibombo stressed the importance of training African youth, building capacity in new technologies and promoting South-South partnerships to accelerate the continent's digital transformation. 'It is also crucial to build the capacity of African public institutions to support the digital transition in the age of AI,' he added. MAP: 16 avril 2025
Ya Biladi
14-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
GITEX Africa 2025 kicks off in Marrakech with 45,000 participants and 1,400 exhibitors
The 3rd edition of GITEX Africa kicked off in Marrakech on Monday, attracting more than 45,000 participants and over 1,400 exhibitors from more than 130 countries. The opening ceremony of this major event was marked by a pre-recorded video address from the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, and the presence of government members, national and international investors, representatives of government institutions, speakers, and personalities from various fields. This year's edition of GITEX Africa features a range of sector-specific conferences, innovative initiatives in the creative industry, and high-value networking forums. This annual event represents a new milestone in Morocco's positioning as a key platform for digital innovation in Africa. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, in partnership with the Digital Development Agency (ADD), the event aims to foster synergies between governments, investors, entrepreneurs, and digital leaders. One of the highlights of this year's event will be the «Africa Future Connectivity» summit, an exclusive platform bringing together telecom, cloud computing, and data center giants. The summit will explore the impact of broadband, 5G deployment, and cloud technologies while encouraging public-private partnerships to shape the continent's digital future. The Diaspora Studio, a space dedicated to connecting African talent on a global scale, is also planned, with the goal of fostering investment opportunities, cross-border partnerships, and the transfer of expertise between the diaspora and local technology ecosystems. GITEX Africa Morocco is also focusing on EdTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, and SportsTech, reinforcing its ambition to make technology a driver of socio-economic transformation in Africa.
Ya Biladi
05-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's GITEX Africa : Catalyzing innovation and digital growth in Africa
GITEX Africa Morocco is generating tangible benefits and added value for local ecosystems, positioning Morocco as an essential destination for innovation, stated Mohammed Drissi Melyani, the Director General of the Digital Development Agency (ADD), on Friday in Rabat. According to the official, «84% of exhibitors expressed their desire to establish or expand their presence in Morocco and Africa, thanks to the connections and networks established during the event. This demonstrates the event's ability to generate tangible benefits for local ecosystems,» said Mohammed Drissi Melyani during the press conference dedicated to the presentation of GITEX Africa, which will take place from April 14 to 16 in Marrakech. The measurable impacts of previous editions of GITEX Africa Morocco highlight the concrete influence of the event on Moroccan and African digital ecosystems and strongly reflect the enthusiasm it has generated since its inception, he argued. For him, this success reflects the vision of an innovative and ambitious Africa—an Africa that no longer endures digital transformation but shapes it, that no longer follows innovation but drives it. «For this third edition, over 1,500 exhibitors, 800 startups, 350 investors, 400 international speakers, and more than 130 countries will converge in Marrakech,» specified the ADD Director General, noting that the event will offer certified training sessions, as well as explore emerging themes, while providing a platform for exchanges, debates, and South-South cooperation in the spirit of inclusive innovation. The Moroccan participation in this edition is expected to be both ambitious and strategic, he assessed, noting that thanks to the «Morocco 200» program. «This initiative, bolstered by a preparatory bootcamp, aims to propel Moroccan innovation onto the global stage,» he revealed. He added that the E-Gov space, coordinated by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform and the ADD, will bring together more than 25 ministerial departments in a 500 m² pavilion to showcase a hundred digital services and solutions. This pavilion aims to concretely demonstrate the firm commitment and calm involvement of the Moroccan public administration ecosystem to transform, modernize, innovate, and bring public services closer to users and citizens, he concluded.
Morocco World
04-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
GITEX Africa 2025: Tech Fair For Key Players in Digital Economy
Morocco is gearing up to host the third edition of GITEX Africa in Marrakech from 14 to 16 April in a mega tech fest that aims to position the country and the biggest continent in the world at the forefront of the global digital shift. The Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition, in partnership with the Emirati group Kanoun, the main partner for GITEX Africa Morocco, organized a press conference today in Rabat to officially announce the fast-approaching event. GITEX is organised by the Digital Development Agency (ADD) in partnership with KAOUN International and is held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform. Speaking to Morocco World News, Mohamed Drissi Melyani, Director General of the ADD, said that GITEX Africa had 'positioned Morocco and Africa as a global digital hub' in less than two years. The Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition, in partnership with the Emirati group Kanoun, the main partner for Gitex Africa Morocco The event will bring together startups, investors, governments, and industry experts to discuss digital innovation and development. 'This exhibition is now a platform for building a connected and innovative digital Africa,' said Melyani. According to the organisers, this year's edition will host 1,400 startups, up from 400 in its first edition. Delegates from more than 32 countries and over 600 public institutions are expected to attend. Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, said the event reflects Morocco's growing role in digital transformation. 'We will welcome representatives from Arab countries, African nations and the Moroccan diaspora,' she said. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, said the event reflects Morocco's growing role in digital transformation The agenda includes panel discussions, masterclasses, and demonstrations of digital tools aimed at modernising public administration. Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, said: 'If you examine the global digital economy, you'll find that technology is its principal driver. Digitisation is now omnipresent –AI is in everything.' LohMirmand described the event as 'the largest, most influential platform on the continent for knowledge-sharing, for collaboration, and for reimagining the future.' LohMirmand described the event as 'the largest, most influential platform on the continent for knowledge-sharing, for collaboration, and for reimagining the future.' She added that Morocco's Digital Strategy 2030 sets ambitious targets, including the creation of 240,000 jobs, training for 100,000 youths, and launching 3,000 startups. Visitors at GITEX will have a chance to explore the latest innovations in tech and attend talks where insiders and tycoons will bounce bold ideas off each other to push Africa to a new digital era. The organisers hope GITEX Africa will help drive progress towards these goals by encouraging innovation and investment in the digital sector.
