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Morocco World
22-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches $19.4 Million Digital Transformation of Civil Registry
Doha – The Moroccan Ministry of Interior has launched an ambitious national project to digitize civil registry records across all prefectures and provinces of the country, with a budget of MAD 194 million ($19.4 million). This massive undertaking aims to modernize public administration and simplify citizens' access to essential administrative documents. The project was announced through an international tender by the General Directorate of Territorial Communities (DGCT). It is expected to digitize more than 38 million records dating back to 1915, when the civil registry system was first established in Morocco. These records are currently distributed across 1,821 civil registry offices throughout the country's ten regions. 'This project aims to establish a centralized and secure database, connecting all civil registry offices to a unified and efficient information system. This will enable real-time data exchange with other public institutions, helping to accelerate procedures, improve service quality, and strengthen the digital transformation of Moroccan administration,' explained the Ministry. The digitization process will unfold in two distinct phases. The first phase targets 27 million paper records that have never been digitized, involving numbering, meticulous manual data entry, and thorough verification. The second phase will focus on over 11 million existing digital records, which will undergo auditing, indexing, and advanced security enhancements. Priority will be given to birth records from after 1950 and death records from after 2003, due to their daily administrative importance and high demand from citizens. The tender is structured into five geographic lots, with a submission deadline of May 29. The first lot covers the Fès-Meknès region with a budget of MAD 36.7 million ($3.67 million), while the second targets Marrakech-Safi with MAD 38.6 million ($3.86 million). The third lot encompasses southern regions including Souss-Massa, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Guelmim-Oued Noun, and Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, allocated MAD 34 million ($3.4 million). The fourth lot, budgeted at MAD 39.5 million ($3.95 million), covers Béni Mellal-Khénifra and Drâa-Tafilalet. The fifth and largest lot, with MAD 45.5 million ($4.55 million), is designated for Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma and the Oriental region. This initiative builds on earlier efforts to modernize civil registry services. In 2023, the government adopted decree n°2.22.04 implementing law n°36.21 on civil registry, which introduced electronic pre-declarations for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The civil registry digitization is part of Morocco's broader digital transformation strategy. Recent initiatives include the digitization of children's health records, announced in February by the National Observatory for Children's Rights (ONDE). Last month, the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) expanded its electronic business creation platform nationwide. The move is designed to simplify administrative procedures and encourage entrepreneurship as part of the country's goal to launch 3,000 startups by 2030. This adds to a partnership between the Ministry of Digital Transition and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, signed this month to accelerate commercial digitization. Public response to these digital initiatives has been positive. A September 2024 survey by L'Économiste and the Sunergia Group found that 67% of Moroccans believe administrative procedures have been simplified through digitization, up from 58% in 2023. The survey showed that 69% of Moroccans now handle their own administrative tasks, with young people aged 18-24 being the most enthusiastic about digital services. This civil registry project represents a significant step in implementing royal directives on administrative digitization and is considered a key pillar of the government's program to develop the country's digital infrastructure and strengthen citizen trust in public services. Read also: Morocco Accelerates Health Sector Digitalization with Strategic Partnerships at GITEX Africa 2025 Tags: Digitizationdigitization in morocco
Morocco World
15-02-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Moroccan Official Denies Reports of Mass Culling of Stray Dogs
Rabat – A Moroccan official has denied accusations that the country is planning to kill three million stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Mohamed Roudani, Head of the Department of Health Preservation and Green Spaces at the General Directorate of Territorial Communities, said the reports circulating in some international media are 'completely unfounded.' 'There is no campaign to eradicate stray dogs,' Roudani told MAP news agency. 'The claims that Morocco is planning to eliminate three million stray dogs before the World Cup have no basis.' His statement comes in response to growing criticism from animal rights groups and activists, who have accused Morocco of carrying out mass killings of stray dogs ahead of major tournaments. Some activists suggested that authorities have been culling dogs in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting. Several animal welfare associations condemned what they described as a 'cruel and inhumane' approach , and called on authorities to adopt ethical and sustainable solutions instead. Some groups shared images and testimonies online claiming that stray dogs were being poisoned or shot in various cities. In response Roudani said that Moroccan local authorities are committed to 'humane and sustainable' solutions in dealing with stray dogs. Municipalities are working in line with international animal welfare standards and are implementing various measures to control the stray dog population ethically, he argued. To address the issue, Roudani added, the Interior Ministry supports municipalities in several initiatives, including building and equipping animal clinics, implementing the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release) method. They are especially reinforcing public health offices with veterinarians, nurses, and technicians, he concluded. Tags: 2030 World Cup and Moroccostray dogsstray dogs morocco
