The Technoparc of Casablanca was the scene, Thursday, December 19, of a major event for the digital innovation sector in Morocco, in this case “Digital Space Accelerators 2024” (DSA’2024).
Hosted by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), this meeting explored ways to build a sustainable startup ecosystem in Morocco under the theme “Sustainable startup ecosystem: Morocco's path forward”.
A vision for a sustainable ecosystem
This initiative is part of a context of rapid transformation of the digital economy, which is redefining industries, economies and societies on a global scale. DSA'2024 was designed to shape policies that promote sustainable innovation and inclusive growth, while remaining aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The DCO, which was created in 2020, brings together several member states sharing a common ambition: to stimulate collaboration between nations to develop innovative solutions in the digital domain.
Read also | Agriculture: OCP, UM6P and French organizations sign an agreement for innovation and sustainability
Morocco, a member of the DCO since April 2022, has particularly distinguished itself by its commitment to digital innovation and sustainable development, particularly through its national strategy. « Digital Morocco 2030 ».
Challenges and opportunities of the Moroccan ecosystem
DSA'2024 began with a presentation of the conceptual framework of the “Regulatory Model for Startups”, developed by the DCO. This model aims to harmonize public policies to support startups, while highlighting the local specificities of Morocco. The discussions highlighted several major challenges facing Moroccan startups.
Regulatory support
The Moroccan regulatory framework in terms of intellectual property, although satisfactory in its structure, remains hampered by operational challenges. Obstacles include a lack of expertise, high costs associated with registering and valuing intellectual property, and limited use of it by startups.
Read also | ABA Technology: At the heart of innovation and digital transformations
Although recommendations have not yet been officially formulated, the proposals made on site called for involving incubators to support entrepreneurs in the valorization of their intellectual property, and for training dedicated experts and consultants to better support startups. in this area.
Access to financing
Limited access to finance is another major challenge. Startups struggle to obtain bank credit due to insufficient guarantees, and the ecosystem lacks diversification of financing sources.
For the latter, solutions have been proposed, in this case the creation of public funds and specific guarantees for startups; the establishment of tax and financial incentives to encourage entrepreneurship; as well as the mobilization of institutional investors to finance innovative projects.
Market access
To thrive, Moroccan startups must overcome entry barriers to public markets, where processes are often complex and inaccessible. Furthermore, they must also explore the opportunities offered by international markets.
Read also | Morocco gains 4 places in the Global Innovation Index, 2nd in Africa
On this chapter, proposals were made by the participants, consisting of the simplification of procedures for access to public markets for startups; promoting internationalization, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and Europe; and strengthening collaboration networks between startups and large local and international companies.
Capacity building
Improving skills is essential to ensure the competitiveness of entrepreneurs. Morocco can capitalize on its talent pool, while encouraging the Moroccan diaspora to invest in the local ecosystem. In this case, it was proposed to develop specific training programs focused on innovation and technology, and to promote the involvement of the diaspora in the financing and mentoring of Moroccan startups.
Collaborative workshops and conclusions
DSA 2024 participants participated in group activities aimed at identifying and analyzing key challenges through the lens of the SDGs. This work was followed by interactive workshops where the teams developed policy recommendations to respond to these issues. Each group presented their findings in plenary discussions, providing enriched perspectives and practical solutions.
Read also | Innovation: a powerful economic lever for Morocco
The discussions also made it possible to formulate a clear roadmap for the startup ecosystem in Morocco. Priorities include: Improving access to financial resources; the creation of a more agile regulatory framework; and the establishment of robust digital infrastructures.
Towards an integrated strategy
One of the major lessons from DSA 2024 is the need to structure an integrated strategy for Moroccan startups. This strategy is based on several axes. In this case, a national vision to better promote Moroccan talents and innovations internationally; a public policy toolbox that can produce clear guidelines for sustainable and inclusive growth; and public-private collaboration to ensure synergy between sectors to maximize impacts.
Strengthened commitment from Morocco
Having reaffirmed its commitment through the “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy, with a budget of 240 million dirhams, Morocco aims to position itself as a regional hub for digital innovation, while actively contributing to the SDGs.
DSA 2024 has demonstrated that the Kingdom has all the assets to become a regional leader in the digital economy. Building on the recommendations from this event, the country can create a sustainable startup ecosystem, capable of responding to local challenges while integrating into a global framework.
Related News :