Morocco champions Africa’s digital future at WTO forum

Friday 19 September 2025 - 14:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco champions Africa’s digital future at WTO forum

Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, Omar Zniber, reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to advancing inclusive digital development across Africa. Speaking at the 2025 World Trade Organization Public Forum, Zniber highlighted Morocco’s role in promoting robust digital infrastructure to unlock the continent's economic potential.

Digital transformation as a development lever

During a high-level session titled “Unlocking Africa’s Digital Potential through Infrastructure,” Zniber emphasized the strategic importance of the digital economy for Africa’s growth. Co-organized by Morocco and France, alongside the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC France) and the French Association of Private Enterprises (AFEP), the session addressed structural barriers to digital trade in Africa, including uneven connectivity, underdeveloped infrastructure, and regulatory challenges.

Zniber echoed WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s vision that “the future of trade is green, digital, and inclusive.” He stressed the need for solidarity and technological sovereignty to ensure Africa’s digital economy is competitive and resilient. However, he cautioned that coordinated efforts are essential to address cybersecurity risks, artificial intelligence regulation, and the lack of adaptable standards in many African nations.

Morocco’s Digital Vision 2030

Presenting Morocco’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, launched in 2024, Zniber outlined the country’s ambitious targets, which include creating 240,000 jobs, contributing MAD 100 billion ($9.7 billion) to GDP, and positioning the country among the top 50 in the global digital services index by 2030.

Key initiatives under the strategy include digital platforms like PortNet, BADR, and TijarIA, as well as partnerships with major players such as Mistral AI and Nokia. Morocco also aims to serve as a digital hub for Africa, leveraging its strategic location and advanced logistics corridors through projects like the Atlantic Initiative, launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Zniber highlighted the importance of investing in human capital, referencing the “Excellence in Africa” program developed in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). He underscored Morocco’s commitment to equipping Africa’s workforce with the skills needed for the digital age.

Priorities for Africa’s digital growth

Other speakers, including Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, Director-General of the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, addressed the broader challenges facing Africa's digital transformation. She identified six key obstacles: weak infrastructure, regulatory gaps, unreliable digital payment systems, limited institutional capacity, financing hurdles, and a shortage of skilled professionals.

El Bouabdellaoui called for synchronized efforts to bolster investment, enforce regulatory frameworks, and develop digital skills through specialized agencies. She underscored the determination of Sub-Saharan African countries to embrace digitalization, with education and health e-services as critical focal points.

The WTO’s role in fostering cooperation

The forum concluded with a strong emphasis on the WTO’s role as a vital platform for cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the development of universal standards. Participants called for integrating rural communities into the digital economy and designing inclusive regulatory frameworks to attract investments that would sustain Africa’s digital transformation.