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the winning bet on MREs for the development of the IT sector in Morocco

-You are involved in the IT sector in Morocco, what assessment do you make of the current state of the market and its evolution?

The IT market in Morocco is at a strategic turning point. It is evolving from a model centered on the outsourcing of services towards true local value creation. In 2022, investment in information technology grew by 7%, reflecting rapid adoption of technologies such as cloud, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). However, challenges persist, including a deficit in technical skills and digital leadership.

The Moroccan technology ecosystem has immense potential: according to the IDC, the African IT market is expected to reach $180 billion by 2030, and Morocco is well positioned to play a key role as a regional hub. However, it is crucial to develop effective public-private partnerships and reform digital education programs to align skills with business needs.

We must evolve towards a model that values ​​not only technical know-how, but also “know-how-how”. This involves developing leaders capable of transforming ideas into impactful technological solutions, attracting international investments and positioning Morocco as a strategic player in the global IT value chain. But concretely, Morocco has all the cards in hand to become one of the regional leaders in the digital economy.

-Today this market is booming, several new professions are appearing and the needs in terms of skills are increasing. In your opinion, what are the most requested profiles that are missing in Morocco?

Demand is particularly strong for full-stack developers, cybersecurity experts, AI and data science specialists, as well as enterprise architects in the cloud domain. For example, in the field of cybersecurity, the global market is experiencing annual growth of 28%, but Morocco trains fewer than 500 professionals per year, an insufficient figure to cover growing needs.

In addition, versatile profiles capable of combining technical expertise and understanding of business sectors are increasingly sought after. Industries like food, finance, and energy require data-driven solutions, but professionals capable of designing strategic information systems tailored to these needs are rare. A recent study shows that 40% of Moroccan companies consider the lack of skills as a barrier to their digital transformation.

-You are convinced that there are Moroccan skills with enormous potential abroad which can contribute to developing this sector in Morocco, can we have examples through your own experience?

Absolutely. I have personally collaborated with Moroccan engineers occupying key positions in companies like Google, Amazon or technology start-ups in and London. A striking example is that of a compatriot leading an AI research team at Google: his expertise could be transposed to develop AI solutions applied to local issues such as smart agriculture or water resources management.

Within Atlas Think Tank, we have also identified dozens of Moroccans from the diaspora occupying strategic international positions and ready to collaborate on local projects. These talents represent a major opportunity to stimulate innovation and accelerate skills development in Morocco through technological incubators and mentoring programs.

-How to attract these skills and through what incentives?

To attract this talent, we must offer a combination of strategic vision, economic incentives and modern infrastructure. In my opinion, tax incentives and administrative facilities are absolutely necessary. It would be relevant to introduce specific tax exemptions for MREs who invest or bring their expertise to strategic regions such as Oriental or Drâa-Tafilalet. This could include tax advantages on income linked to their projects and a simplification of administrative procedures to facilitate their installation and activity.

At the same time, let’s think about creating regional technology hubs. This allows these talents to work on projects of international scope while remaining connected to the local market. For example, the Fez-Meknes region, which benefits from an excellent talent pool thanks to the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, could become a national and international technological hub. In addition, it is essential to develop collaborative bridges and international partnerships. Following the example of India, which has repatriated thousands of talents through partnerships with multinationals, Morocco could develop strategic collaborations with European and global companies to offer and lead technological projects integrating all stages, from design to production.

Imagine an ecosystem where MREs lead Moroccan technology projects deployed on a global scale. This dream can become a reality by aligning public and private efforts.

-As an MRE carrying a project in Morocco, what are the challenges you face?

The challenges are multiple. Administrative bureaucracy is a major obstacle, making it difficult to start up and manage projects on a daily basis. Access to financing is also limited, venture capital funds and investors remain cautious about technological innovation in Morocco. In comparison, countries like Kenya, with an ecosystem of 200 tech startups funded in 2022, outperform Morocco.

Finally, the lack of agility and flexibility in public-private partnerships often hinders the implementation of large-scale solutions. That said, I am very encouraged by the potential of the young Moroccan talents that I meet regularly. Their ambition and creativity are essential drivers to overcome these challenges.

-How can we concretely improve the business climate to make it easier for MREs to do business?

Improving the business climate for MREs requires bold and targeted reforms to position Morocco as an attractive destination for investments and technology projects. There are aspects on which we can capitalize, namely the digitalization of administration. It is time to simplify and automate administrative procedures to reduce the time to start a business to less than 24 hours, as was done in Rwanda, a leading example in Africa. This approach would significantly improve transparency, efficiency and investor satisfaction.

We also have tax incentives dedicated to technology investors. That is, offering subsidies and tax benefits to startups founded by MREs, following the model of the United Arab Emirates, which has attracted billions in investments thanks to proactive tax policies.

In addition, digital infrastructure must be strengthened. This involves investing in world-class internet connectivity and increasing the number of modern coworking spaces, enabling MREs and technology startups to work in environments conducive to innovation and global development. Finally, when we talk about the integration of MREs in strategic decision-making processes, we can only think of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) which must be modernized so as to guarantee active representation of MREs in the within political institutions, notably via a dedicated quota in political parties. This direct participation would make it possible to better align economic and technological policies with the ambitions of MREs.

By combining these measures, Morocco can capitalize on the skills and resources of its diaspora to become a regional and global technology hub. Such a strategy would strengthen the country’s competitiveness and position it as a leader in the digital economy in Africa.

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