AGP Executive Report

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.

Engineering Education: Morocco’s EMSI has opened a campus in Nouakchott, offering training in AI, digitization and engineering to support Mauritania’s digital transition. Agricultural Research: Morocco and U.S. agriculture officials are exploring joint work on gene editing, conservation farming and climate resilience through INRA and NASDA. AI Strategy: Morocco’s “AI Made in Morocco” initiative aims to build local control over digital infrastructure, data and computing, with AI targeted to contribute MAD 100 billion to GDP by 2030. Aerospace and Compute: UM6P has formalized an aerospace consortium with Boeing, Airbus and Lockheed Martin, while a separate project plans a 20MW AI data center near Casablanca.

Agricultural Research: Morocco and the United States are exploring joint work on climate-resilient farming, conservation agriculture and gene editing, building on exchanges between Morocco’s INRA and a U.S. agricultural association. AI Ambitions: Morocco’s AI Made in Morocco roadmap targets a 100-billion-dirham contribution to GDP, 50,000 jobs and 200,000 trained specialists by 2030, with investment in sovereign computing and models adapted to Arabic, Darija and Amazigh. Aerospace and Digital Infrastructure: Marrakech Airshow deals are advancing Morocco’s aerospace sector, while a planned 20MW AI data center near Casablanca would add capacity for data-intensive services. AI in Customs: Digital risk tools helped Moroccan customs audit imports worth nearly 650 million dirhams and recover close to 50 million dirhams in duties and penalties after flagging suspected undervaluation.

AI Sovereignty: Morocco’s “AI Made in Morocco” roadmap aims to add MAD 100 billion to GDP by 2030, create 50,000 jobs and train 200,000 people. The plan prioritizes local computing infrastructure and AI suited to Arabic, Darija and Amazigh. Agricultural Research: Morocco’s INRA and a US delegation discussed genome editing to improve crops and conservation practices to help farms withstand climate change. AI in Customs: Moroccan customs reportedly used AI risk analysis to audit imports worth MAD 650 million and recover nearly MAD 50 million in duties and penalties. Advanced Manufacturing: UM6P formalized a manufacturing consortium with Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Safran, aiming to expand research and production capabilities in Morocco. Digital Aviation: Royal Air Maroc selected Thales software to digitize flight operations as it plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037.

Aerospace and Defence: At Marrakech Airshow, Morocco signed an EDGE deal to integrate UAE-made precision weapons into its drones and a separate pact exploring local production of small arms and aircraft engines. Industry leaders say aerospace exports could rise from $3 billion in 2025 to $5 billion within three years, as Morocco moves into engine and landing-gear assembly. Advanced Manufacturing: UM6P formalized a manufacturing excellence consortium with Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Safran and Moroccan institutions, building a platform for research and advanced industrial skills. Digital Finance: Bank Al-Maghrib published two studies on the potential design and economic effects of a digital dirham. Aviation Technology: Royal Air Maroc selected Thales’ digital flight operations platform to support safety and efficiency as it plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037. Climate Science: Morocco’s September was the hottest on record since 1981, with the national weather service linking the extreme heat to weather patterns intensified by global warming.

Digital Finance: Bank Al-Maghrib published two studies on the digital dirham, examining lessons from central bank digital currencies and how a digital currency could affect Morocco’s economy. Aerospace Industry: Marrakech Airshow deals point to a bigger local role in aircraft production: Airbus plans a helicopter maintenance hub serving West Africa, while new factory projects target aircraft parts, wiring and machining. EDGE also signed an agreement to explore local production of small arms and aircraft engines. Computing: FiveNines Group is developing a 20-megawatt AI data center near Casablanca, a major addition to Morocco’s digital infrastructure. Research and AI: Nine UEMF researchers ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists in 2026, while new open-source tools aim to improve AI support for Darija and Arabic speech. Geoscience: ONHYM and Viridien will combine expertise and data analytics to assess Morocco’s onshore and offshore basins.

Aerospace Manufacturing: At the Marrakech Air Show, EDGE signed a framework agreement to explore local production of small arms and engines for unmanned aircraft. Airbus plans a Moroccan helicopter maintenance hub serving West Africa, while new aerospace deals target aircraft-parts treatment, wiring and machining. Industrial Investment: Chinese manufacturer Hangyu Technology plans to invest up to €105 million in an aerospace-components plant at Tangier Tech, shifting the project from Slovakia. Morocco’s aerospace industry association says annual exports could grow from $3 billion to $5 billion within three years. AI Infrastructure: FiveNines Group will oversee early development of a 20-megawatt AI data centre near Casablanca, part of a planned 180MW platform designed to run on renewable energy. Research & AI: Nine University of Fez researchers rank among the world’s top 2% of scientists, while Morocco has released open-source AI tools for Darija speech and dialects.

AI Infrastructure: FiveNines Group is leading early design work on a 20MW high-density AI data centre near Casablanca, part of a planned 180MW renewable-powered platform. Aerospace Industry: Morocco’s aerospace exports could climb from $3bn to $5bn within three years, as the sector targets higher-value manufacturing, including engines and landing gear. Chinese firm Hangyu Technology plans to invest up to €105m in an aerospace components plant at Tangier Tech City. Sovereign Technology: Morocco and French startup Harmattan AI signed a letter of intent to develop the IRIFI autonomous long-range drone, with key components intended to be made locally. Research and Digital Tools: Nine Euromed University of Fez researchers made Stanford-Elsevier’s 2026 list of the world’s top 2% of scientists. Morocco also launched ander.ma, a platform for artists to document and verify their works.

Aerospace Industry: The Marrakech Airshow is turning Morocco’s industrial ambitions into deals, with new partnerships for aerospace research, local aircraft components and counter-drone technology. Airbus says Moroccan-made parts now feature across its fleet, while Safran plans to assemble 300 engines a year in Morocco. AI and Robotics: Morocco’s drive to build local expertise includes open-source AI tools for Darija and speech recognition, developed through a partnership with Mistral. Digital Infrastructure: A planned 20-megawatt data centre in Morocco signals growing investment in the country’s computing capacity. Energy and Mining: A Laâyoune green-hydrogen project is advancing, while ONHYM and Viridien have launched a framework to develop subsurface data for Moroccan basins.

Aerospace: Marrakech Air Show deals link Moroccan ministries, OCP, universities and global firms on manufacturing research, local airline supply chains and counter-drone technology. Airbus says Moroccan-made components are used across its fleet, while Safran plans to assemble 300 engines a year in Morocco. AI Infrastructure: A planned 20MW data centre near Casablanca will be designed for high-density AI computing, using Nvidia’s Vera Rubin architecture. Defence Manufacturing: India’s MKU plans a Moroccan plant for electro-optics, helmets and body armour, with production intended for local forces and wider African markets. Homegrown AI: Morocco has unveiled open-source tools for Darija speech recognition and Arabic dialects.

AI Infrastructure: FiveNines Group and Nexus Core Systems are planning a 20MW data centre near Casablanca, designed for high-density AI computing and using Nvidia’s Vera Rubin architecture. Aerospace: Morocco’s first F-16 Block 72 has completed its maiden flight in South Carolina and will now undergo testing before delivery. Defence Manufacturing: India’s MKU plans a Moroccan factory for electro-optics, helmets and body armour, aiming to serve local forces and export across Africa. Moroccan AI: New open-source tools for Darija speech recognition could help expand Arabic-language technology. Research: Cadi Ayyad University researchers have developed a framework that combines federated learning with IoT standards, letting devices train AI models without sending raw sensor data to the cloud. Clean Energy: Switzerland is considering technical cooperation with Morocco on renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels, including joint studies and training.

Green Hydrogen Diplomacy: Switzerland is weighing deeper technical cooperation with Morocco on renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels, aiming to build “power-to-X” supply chains abroad through joint studies, training, and clean-tech partnerships. World Cup Infrastructure: Moroccan contractor SGTM won a €2.825bn contract to modernize the Fez Sports Complex ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with upgrades spanning civil works, roofing, façades, and sustainability targets like energy efficiency and lower water use. Ancient Fortifications: Archaeologists at Oued Beht in Khemisset uncovered a 3,500–4,000-year-old ditch-and-rampart fortification, described as the oldest defensive structure in North Africa outside the Nile Valley. AI for the IoT: A Moroccan-led study proposes FL-OneM2M, pairing federated learning with an IoT service layer to train smarter models without sending raw sensor data to the cloud. Higher Ed Access: Morocco will exempt newly admitted international students from foreign diploma equivalence and some entrance exams, with universities still reviewing academic fit for engineering, masters, medical specialization, and doctoral tracks. Aerospace Milestone: Lockheed Martin says Morocco’s first F-16 Block 72 has completed its maiden flight in Greenville, moving into flight testing before delivery. Digital Infrastructure Push: Vertiv and Cybastion signed an MoU to accelerate digital transformation across Northwest Africa, targeting Morocco and other regional markets with power, cooling, and data-centre solutions. Plant Biotech in Morocco: A new berry plant propagation project, via a Morocco-Chile partnership (Frutivar), aims to scale in-country plant production using in vitro lab expertise and local grower networks.

Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion signed an MoU to accelerate digital transformation across Northwest Africa, targeting Morocco and other markets with power, cooling and secure data-centre solutions. Payments & Fintech: Morocco’s Bank Al-Maghrib and the UAE Central Bank agreed on banking supervision, Islamic finance coordination, and a plan to interlink instant payment systems and financial messaging for faster, cheaper cross-border transfers. AI & Democracy: Morocco’s HACA released a study on how social media is reshaping political communication, warning about disinformation and “democracy under algorithms,” and calling for more algorithm transparency and digital education. Open-Source AI for Arabic: Morocco unveiled open-source Darija AI tools with speech recognition capabilities, pushing more local-language tech into the spotlight. Mobility & Defense Supply Chains: Oshkosh Defense received a follow-on order from Morocco for 50 heavy equipment transporter tractors and 50 heavy-duty trailers, supporting logistics modernization. Energy & Industry: A report on Africa’s solar boom points to Morocco as a growing gigawatt market, while separate coverage highlights how power generation gains don’t always translate into reliable access. Health Research: A study proposes pregnancy-specific reference intervals for hematological parameters, flagging risks of using non-pregnant ranges.

Morocco-UAE Fintech Push: Bank Al-Maghrib and the UAE Central Bank signed MoUs to speed cross-border instant payments, strengthen banking supervision and Islamic finance, and explore direct links between instant payment systems and messaging rails. Defense Mobility Upgrade: Oshkosh Defense secured a follow-on order for 50 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) A1 tractors and 50 MN573 trailers, with the first tranche already operational for Morocco’s logistics modernization. Digital Infrastructure Partnerships: Vertiv teamed up with Cybastion to accelerate critical digital infrastructure projects across Northwest Africa, with Morocco among the priority markets. AI & Public Sector Reform: Morocco’s administrative reform union UMT urged the incoming government to make digital transformation and AI investment a national priority, alongside stronger training and anti-corruption measures. Entrepreneurship Gap: A new GEM report finds women are active in high-potential entrepreneurship early on, but far fewer reach the established stage—an issue Morocco policymakers may want to watch. Energy & Solar Growth Context: Ember analysis projects record solar additions across Africa in 2026, listing Morocco among the gigawatt markets. Human Rights Spotlight at Ceuta: Amnesty International criticized Spanish forces over alleged abuse of migrants in Ceuta, keeping Morocco-Spain border tensions in the headlines.

Open-Source AI for Morocco’s Arabic: Morocco’s Digital Transition ministry, with Mistral AI, released new open-source Darija tools: a dialect ID classifier and Voxtral speech recognition that handles Moroccan Arabic plus code-switching with French and English. Digital Governance Push: Morocco’s UMT union urged the incoming Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri government to treat digital transition and administrative reform as a national priority, with more AI investment, staff training, and stronger anti-corruption safeguards. Banking & Fintech Links: Bank Al-Maghrib and the UAE central bank signed MoUs to deepen supervision, Islamic finance cooperation, and interlink instant payments and messaging systems. Digital Infrastructure Partnerships: Vertiv teamed with Cybastion to accelerate digital infrastructure development across North Africa, including Morocco, via power/cooling expertise tied to government-led programs. Labour Markets Map: A new study groups Moroccan municipalities into five job-market types, showing unemployment and opportunity spill over across administrative borders. Defence Industry Supply Chain: Oshkosh Defense secured a follow-on order from Morocco for heavy equipment transport tractors and trailers, supporting logistics modernization. Education & Youth Tech Culture: Morocco’s tech-adjacent ecosystem also shows up in UMT’s push for skills and in the wider regional focus on youth and e-sports.

Autonomous Defense Tech: Rabat-based Ballistic Defense System says it built a $1.15m GPS-free kamikaze drone, using onboard optical terrain matching and AI guidance, with 800 km of Belgium flight trials and plans for a larger 250 kg model in Morocco. Open-Source AI for Darija: Morocco’s Digital Transition ministry and Mistral released two open tools—Darija language ID and speech-to-text using Voxtral—aimed at public services, education, and media captioning. Health & Safety: Morocco’s medicines regulator warned pharma firms to stop publishing or using promotional materials before prior declaration, after monitoring found compliance gaps. Public Health Alert: A diphtheria death was reported in Youssoufia after lab confirmation, with calls for stronger school monitoring as clusters are investigated. Rail Infrastructure: Casablanca’s 20-billion-dirham rail overhaul is moving into implementation, adding new stations, lines, and trains under the 2030 rail transformation plan. Energy Cooperation: Switzerland approved a report to explore technical collaboration with Morocco on renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels, including Synhelion’s Tan-Tan plans. Human Rights Scrutiny: Amnesty says Morocco’s surveillance system goes beyond spyware into smear campaigns and judicial harassment targeting journalists and activists. Aviation Security: A Flydubai cockpit stabbing attempt highlights risks from crew-related hijacking attempts, reviving debate on aviation safeguards. Education & Community: UK school students helped build a road for a Moroccan primary school during a World Challenge trip through the Atlas Mountains.