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Morocco World
29-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
GITEX Africa 2025 Exceeds All Expectations, Morocco's Digital Minister Says
Rabat — On Monday, Moroccan Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni commented on the wrap-up numbers of Africa's largest tech fair: 'The 2025 edition of GITEX Africa surpassed all expectations and anticipated numbers.' The massive event drew in over 52,000 visitors – technology leaders, startups, and government officials from Africa and beyond. It further put Morocco on the map, not only solidifying the country's role as Africa's digital hub but also a global tech epicenter, prepped and ready for new projects on the horizon. Visitor numbers jumped 16% compared to last year, with attendees coming from around the world. The tech fair featured 1,450 exhibitors from 138 countries, including 740 startups – 260 of them being Moroccan. The Moroccan government covered the participation costs of over 200. Speaking a the House of Representatives, Seghrouchni pointed out Africa's strategic advantages in leading digital transformation, being a rich continent with a tech-savvy young population and growing investment momentum. She also explained that the digital economy now represents 15% of global GDP, estimated at $6.5 trillion. 'Digital transformation is no longer optional but has become a fundamental lever for development and prosperity,' Seghrouchni noted. GITEX Africa 2025 positioned the continent as a beacon of tech solutions. Not merely following in the steps of more developed countries, Marrakech brought together governments, global companies, research institutions, and startups to exchange the latest technological developments and rethink the future. The event constituted a platform to forge several key partnerships, aiming to enhance both Morocco's and Africa's role in developing tech solutions and respond to growing challenges. These partnerships are set to accelerate innovation, strengthen national technological sovereignty, develop young Moroccan talent in digital technologies, create high-value jobs, and position Morocco as a regional and international technology leader. Read also: GITEX Africa 2025 Closes with a Bold Vision for Africa's Digital Future Additionally, other agreements focused on outsourcing services, expected to create more than 1,000 jobs by 2029 through new service centers in the Eastern Region and Casablanca-Settat. The government also signed an agreement to support the expansion of an international IT consulting company's operations in the Casablanca-Settat region. As for the cultural side of GITEX Africa 2025, two agreements supporting the Amazigh language saw the light inside the venue. One supports Morocco Post's (Barid Al-Maghrib) efforts to implement the official status of Amazigh, while the other promotes Amazigh tangible and intangible heritage in intellectual productions and crafts. Also, a third agreement aims to restructure the National Library of Morocco's electronic portal and enhance digital book offerings, legal deposits, and document digitization. 'Morocco's hosting of an event of this magnitude reflects the Kingdom's significant potential,' Seghrouchni concluded. 'It positions Morocco as a digital destination thanks to its infrastructure, investment climate, and political will to support innovation, improving its standing regionally and internationally as a country that creates and directs digitization.' Tags: GITEX Africa 2025GITEX Africa Morocco
Ya Biladi
04-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
GITEX Africa 2025 : AI and digital infrastructure to take center stage in Marrakech
With enhanced sector-specific conferences, bold initiatives, and strategic networking forums, the third edition of GITEX Africa Morocco aims to solidify Africa's position as a key player in the global digital landscape. Scheduled for April 14 to 16, 2025, in Marrakech, the forum will focus on digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), and technological innovation, led by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, the Digital Development Agency (ADD), and KAOUN International. Following the success of its first two editions, GITEX Africa has become the continent's largest gathering of technology and entrepreneurship stakeholders. This year's event is set to mark a new milestone, inspired by GITEX Global, which has been hosted in the United Arab Emirates for over four decades. At a press conference held Friday, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Deputy Minister in charge of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, reaffirmed royal directives calling for «adequate and specialized human resources in various digital fields» to promote «a digital culture across all segments of society» and develop technical infrastructures «capable of keeping pace with rapid sectoral evolution». African Diaspora and AI at the Heart of GITEX Africa 2025 In her remarks, the minister emphasized the need to bridge the digital gap between Africa and developed countries and capitalize on the global tech boom. She noted that the 2025 edition will «reinforce Africa's role as a major player on the global innovation scene», with a spotlight on digital infrastructure, advances in AI, and cutting-edge technologies. A major new feature this year will be the launch of the «Summit on Africa's Future Coverage», a platform bringing together key players in telecom, cloud computing, and data centers. The summit will also address issues such as broadband expansion, 5G deployment, cloud adoption, and public-private partnerships aimed at shaping the continent's future digital backbone. Additionally, this year's event will host the debut of the «Global African Diaspora Studio», a space dedicated to reconnecting Africa's global tech talent with local innovation ecosystems. The goal, according to the minister, is to stimulate investment, establish cross-border partnerships, and encourage knowledge transfer between diaspora tech leaders and local stakeholders. «By attracting venture capitalists, startup incubators, and major research institutions, the studio will serve as a strategic platform to boost Africa's presence on the global innovation map», said Seghrouchni. She added that Morocco is fully committed to supporting the growth of GITEX Africa as part of its vision to become a leading digital hub on the continent. Governance, AI, and Cross-Border Partnerships Beyond startups and tech firms, this edition will also bring together a select group of government officials, regulatory authorities, and industry leaders to discuss AI governance, digital legislation, and the policies shaping Africa's digital future. A special focus will also be placed on artificial intelligence, with numerous leading AI startups taking part. «Workshops on various topics will be organized, featuring companies, policymakers, and decision-makers», the minister explained. The overarching goal, she said, is to «unify perspectives around clear policies for AI adoption in Africa». Highlighting the stakes, she added, «Recent international studies predict that AI will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, underlining the immense importance of this rapidly growing sector». This third edition will also welcome the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank's private-sector financing arm, as an official economic development partner. In this context, the IFC's SheWins Africa initiative will take center stage. The initiative aims to empower women-led startups, strengthen their role in the digital economy, and foster inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent. To support local innovation, the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform has launched the second edition of the «Morocco 200» initiative, which covers 90% of participation costs for 200 selected Moroccan startups. «This initiative opens the door to project development and investment opportunities by connecting Moroccan startups with regional and global actors», Seghrouchni noted. The forum will also feature sector-specific seminars focusing on EdTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, and SportTech. These are expected to facilitate partnerships that further accelerate Africa's digital integration and innovation leadership.
