AGP Executive Report

AI in Finance: A study of 142 financial institutions across five North African countries, including Morocco, linked AI adoption with stronger risk-management performance. The researchers stressed that the findings show an association, not proof of cause and effect. Green Energy: Qatar-based Green Sky Capital plans to invest $239 million in a Nador West Med plant designed to produce 200,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel a year. Separately, Morocco has opened a tender for 350 MW of solar projects across five regions. Digital Policy: Morocco’s new government has created an AI ministry and set a target of $10 billion in economic gains from AI by 2030. Maritime Technology: Morocco is promoting regional cooperation on digital marine mapping, as Eastern Atlantic countries prepare to adopt the IHO’s S-100 data standard to improve navigation safety and information sharing. Water and Waste: Morocco and Finland are exploring circular-economy projects focused on water and waste management, with public agencies, businesses and researchers taking part.

Renewable Energy: Morocco has opened bids for four to six solar plants totaling at least 350 MW, planned across five regions and expected to start operating in late 2028. Defense Technology: The U.S. Army plans to test up to 15 counter-drone systems in Tan-Tan in 2027, aiming to get successful technologies to soldiers within 180 days. AI Policy: Morocco’s new government has created an AI and digital-transformation ministry, with a target of generating $10 billion in economic gains by 2030. Health Innovation: Moroccan pharmaceutical company Sothema has won approval for three cannabis-based epilepsy drugs. Inclusive Education: Rabat has inaugurated University Lalla Asmaa, a new institution focused on hearing sciences and inclusive education. Women in Tech: Nine Moroccan professionals and innovators have been nominated for the 2026 Women in Tech MENA Awards.

Counter-Drone Testing: The US Army plans to assess up to 15 systems in Tan-Tan in 2027, with trials aimed at speeding new defenses from testing to soldiers. AI Policy: Morocco has created a dedicated AI and digital transformation ministry, appointing Ahmed Rahhou to lead it. A separate $1.2 billion Nexus AI factory project is also taking shape in Morocco. Medical Research: Sothema won approval for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health; they are not yet on sale. Agricultural Tech: Researchers in Morocco and the UK used microwave imaging to locate hidden red palm weevil pupae inside trunks, with about 93% accuracy in controlled tests. Aerospace Skills: Morocco’s civil aviation academy signed a UK partnership covering training, engineering, applied research and digital technologies.

Defense Technology: The US Army plans to test up to 15 counter-drone systems in Tan-Tan in 2027, with soldier demonstrations followed by evaluations during African Lion. The program aims to speed promising systems to troops. Digital Government: Morocco has created a ministerial portfolio for artificial intelligence, digital transformation and administrative reform, appointing Ahmed Rahhou to lead it. Medical Innovation: Moroccan drugmaker Sothema won approval for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health; the drugs are not yet on sale. Research: A Morocco-led collaboration has tested microwave imaging to locate red palm weevil pupae hidden inside palm trunks, achieving about 93% accuracy in controlled trials. Inclusive Education: Rabat’s new Lalla Asmaa University for hearing sciences brings together hearing and deaf students, with programs spanning hearing care, sign languages and related technologies.

AI Policy: Morocco has created a ministerial portfolio explicitly covering artificial intelligence, digital transformation and administrative reform, appointing Ahmed Rahhou. The national AI roadmap targets $10 billion in added economic value and 50,000 jobs by 2030. Defense Technology: The US Army plans to test up to 15 counter-drone systems in Tan-Tan in spring 2027, aiming to speed promising technologies to soldiers. Medical Research: Sothema secured approvals for three cannabis-based epilepsy medicines developed with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health; they are not yet on sale. Agricultural Technology: Researchers from Morocco, the UK and Scotland used microwave imaging to locate hidden red palm weevil pupae inside a trunk, with about 93% accuracy in controlled tests. Inclusive Education: Rabat’s new Lalla Asmaa University for hearing sciences brings hearing and deaf students together in programs spanning care, sign languages and technology. Aviation Training: Morocco’s Mohammed VI Academy of Civil Aviation and the UK’s Lincoln College agreed to cooperate on aviation engineering, digital technologies, training and applied research.

Agri-tech: Researchers in Morocco, the UK and Scotland used microwave imaging to locate hidden red palm weevil pupae inside trunks, achieving about 93% accuracy in controlled tests. The approach could help detect infestations before damage becomes visible. AI Policy: Morocco’s new government has created a ministry explicitly covering artificial intelligence, digital transformation and administrative reform. The national AI roadmap targets $10 billion in economic gains, 50,000 jobs and training for 200,000 people by 2030. Inclusive Health Science: Rabat has inaugurated Lalla Asmaa University for hearing sciences, offering free programs that bring deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students together to train in hearing care, sign languages and related fields. Defence Technology: The US Army plans to test up to 15 counter-drone systems in Morocco, with soldier-led demonstrations in Tan-Tan in 2027 and an operational assessment during African Lion.

AI Policy: Morocco has created a ministry explicitly responsible for artificial intelligence, digital transformation and administrative reform. Its AI 2030 roadmap targets $10 billion in economic gains, 50,000 jobs and training for 200,000 people. Inclusive Science Education: Rabat’s new Lalla Asmaa University for hearing sciences offers free programs for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students, with partners including the Pasteur Institute and universities in Chicago, Louvain and Montpellier. Water Technology: OCP Maintenance Solutions and Sychem are testing digital monitoring to spot desalination-plant failures early, with a specialist centre in Morocco also planned. Research to Industry: UM6P is working to move research into practical applications, focusing on local needs in sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining and health.

Water Technology: OCP Maintenance Solutions and Greek firm Sychem are partnering to improve desalination-plant reliability with local technical teams and digital monitoring that can flag failures early. They plan to assess results before expanding the work. Inclusive Science Education: Princess Lalla Asmaa inaugurated Rabat’s Lalla Asmaa University, offering free hearing-sciences courses across four schools and 16 programmes for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students. Digital Defence: Morocco joined the U.S. Army’s online drone and counter-drone purchasing platforms, which offer pre-approved systems and can cut procurement from months to days. Research and Higher Education: UEMF and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne opened a shared campus in Fez, expanding access to French programmes and plans for joint research and doctoral training. Aerospace Industry: Marrakech Airshow agreements include a planned Safran engine-components plant, a manufacturing hub backed by major aerospace firms and a proposed sustainable aviation fuel facility.

Inclusive Science: Rabat’s new Lalla Asmaa University brings together four schools, 16 degree programs and seven laboratories for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing students. Its research includes hearing disorders, genetics and gene therapy. Aerospace Jobs: Safran has expanded its Aïn Atiq plant by 5,700 square metres, with capacity for new aircraft programs and 400 additional jobs. Digital Defence: Morocco joined the U.S. Army’s online drone and counter-drone procurement marketplaces, which aim to cut purchasing timelines from months to days. Research Links: UEMF and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne opened a shared campus in Fez to expand joint research, doctoral training and student mobility. Industrial Tech: Morocco is preparing to launch Africa’s first battery gigafactory in Kenitra, while a UK group has joined a planned $1.2 billion sovereign AI infrastructure project in the country. Cybersecurity: Morocco ranked third in Africa for recorded cyberattacks, accounting for 10.6% of incidents, according to a Mastercard report.

Aerospace: Safran Electrical & Power has expanded its Aïn Atiq plant by 5,700 square metres, with plans to create 400 jobs and support new aircraft programmes. The Marrakech Airshow closed with 26 strategic agreements, including plans for Safran engine-component production and a sustainable aviation fuel plant. Cybersecurity: Morocco accounted for 10.6% of Africa’s reported cyberattacks, ranking third on the continent, according to Mastercard. The report says attacks across Africa rose 421% between 2016 and 2025. Industry: OCP plans to buy European partners’ stakes in EMAPHOS, consolidating its ownership of the Jorf Lasfar producer of purified phosphoric acid for food, pharmaceutical and other specialised markets. Digital policy: Morocco’s human rights chief has urged safeguards against AI-driven discrimination and other risks. Separately, Bank Al-Maghrib completed initial technical tests of a potential digital dirham.

AI Safeguards: Morocco’s human rights chief Amina Bouayach called for stronger oversight of AI, warning that deepfakes, biased algorithms and facial recognition can threaten privacy and equality. Smart Cities: Casablanca ranks among Africa’s keenest AI-adopting cities, despite gaps in digital infrastructure and startup funding, a new global index finds. Rail Investment: Morocco outlined a rail investment plan worth more than €10 billion at a Rabat forum focused on financing projects across Africa. Aerospace: Safran opened a 5,700-square-meter expansion at its Temara facility, boosting capacity to make aircraft electrical systems. Battery Manufacturing: Gotion plans to launch its $1.3 billion Kenitra gigafactory the week of October 20, a major step for Morocco’s ambitions in battery production. Digital Currency: Bank Al-Maghrib has completed initial technical tests of a potential digital dirham.

Cybersecurity: Extortion group n0n listed Morocco’s Eurogate Tanger among 38 shipping and port organizations facing data-leak threats. No breach has been confirmed. AI & Batteries: A UK group has joined the $1.2 billion Nexus AI Factory project, billed as Africa’s first sovereign AI infrastructure platform. Gotion plans to launch Morocco’s first battery gigafactory in Kenitra the week of October 20. Digital Services: Bank Al-Maghrib has completed initial technical tests of a digital dirham, while Royal Air Maroc chose Thales to digitize flight operations. Aerospace: Airbus plans a new factory and helicopter maintenance hub in Morocco, with ambitions to serve West Africa; the factory is not an aircraft assembly line. Science: Researchers identified a Jurassic crocodile relative from Morocco with unusually slender, needle-like teeth. Nine researchers from UEMF also ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists.

Cybersecurity: Morocco’s armed forces have deployed an AI-enabled cyber defense system with 65 sensor sites, mobile command platforms and monitoring aboard six ships. The system’s cost and the infrastructure it protects were not disclosed. AI Infrastructure: A UK engineering group will help develop a 20-megawatt AI data center near Casablanca as part of the Nexus AI Factory project, billed as Africa’s first sovereign AI infrastructure platform. Digital Business: Casablanca legaltech Charikaty says its platform handled 1% of all company creations in Morocco in September, and nearly 2% of online incorporations. Medical Research: Doctors in Marrakesh, Guelmim and Agadir reported a rare case of celiac disease that caused a month of high fevers without digestive symptoms. Paleontology: Researchers from Hassan II University and the University of Portsmouth identified a 170-million-year-old crocodile relative in Morocco’s Atlas region, with fine, closely spaced teeth likely suited to catching small prey. Digital Currency: Bank Al-Maghrib has completed initial technical tests of a potential digital dirham, as Morocco explores a central bank digital currency.

AI Infrastructure: UK firm FiveNines will help build a 20 MW AI data center near Casablanca, part of Morocco’s planned sovereign AI platform. Industrial Investment: Chinese group Hangyu is moving its $117 million metal-forging project from Slovakia to Tangier Tech City, citing clearer investment procedures. Battery Manufacturing: Gotion plans to launch Morocco’s first battery gigafactory in Kenitra the week of October 20, a major step for the country’s electric-vehicle supply chain. Digital Finance: Bank Al-Maghrib has completed initial technical tests of a digital dirham, bringing the central bank closer to assessing a potential rollout. Cybersecurity: A Mastercard report says cyberattacks in Africa rose 421% from 2016 to 2025, with 69,236 events recorded last year; it identifies Morocco among countries facing distinct digital-security challenges. Science: Researchers from Hassan II University in Casablanca helped identify a new 170-million-year-old crocodile relative from fossils in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.

Battery Manufacturing: Gotion plans to start commissioning equipment at its Kenitra gigafactory the week of October 20. The first phase targets 20 GWh of annual capacity and represents a MAD 13 billion investment. Digital Dirham: Bank Al-Maghrib has completed technical tests of a potential digital currency, including wallet storage and person-to-person payments. No launch date has been set. AI and Cybersecurity: Morocco’s CyberSecurity Week in Rabat focused on protecting critical infrastructure and building skills. AUSIM’s AI roadmap targets MAD 100 billion in GDP contribution and 200,000 people trained by 2030. Science: Researchers from Hassan II University and the University of Portsmouth identified a new, needle-toothed crocodile relative in fossils from Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. A separate study warns climate change could expand the range of a venomous scorpion into northern Morocco by 2061–80. Startup Funding: Moroccan startups raised just $100,000 in September, despite a $1.1 billion funding month across MENA.

Cybersecurity: Morocco CyberSecurity Week opened in Rabat with a focus on protecting critical infrastructure, securing cloud services and building national skills. AI and Digital Sovereignty: At the AUSIM conference, officials outlined a push to move AI from experimentation into industry, targeting a 100-billion-dirham GDP contribution and 50,000 jobs by 2030. Digital Payments: Bank Al-Maghrib has completed technical tests of a digital dirham prototype for wallet storage and person-to-person payments; no launch date has been announced, and privacy, cybersecurity and financial safeguards remain under review. Research: Scientists from Hassan II University and the University of Portsmouth identified a 170-million-year-old crocodile relative in southeastern Morocco, notable for its unusually thin, comb-like teeth. Low-Carbon Construction: Moroccan researchers found machine learning could accurately predict the strength of geopolymers made with fly ash and waste glass, supporting development of lower-carbon building materials. Agricultural Science: Morocco and a U.S. agricultural association are exploring research partnerships in conservation farming, soil health and crop genetics.