Morocco leads Africa in data center development

Monday 09 June 2025 - 12:05

By: Zahouani Ilham

Morocco leads Africa in data center development

The country has swiftly embraced the digital transformation era. In 2020, the Agency for Digital Development introduced a strategic plan prioritizing digital infrastructure. Since then, the government has implemented various incentives, such as tax reductions and exemptions under the National Investment Charter. Additionally, the push for data sovereignty played a significant role in this growth. A 2021 regulation mandated that all sensitive data must be stored within Morocco, prompting a repatriation of data.

Currently, most data centers are owned by telecommunications providers like Maroc Telecom and Inwi or specialized operators such as Medasys and N+One. Large banks tend to own their own centers, while smaller banks rent storage space.

Different regional governments compete by offering attractive incentives. The Casablanca-Settat and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra regions host the majority of data centers, benefiting from full internet coverage and reliable energy supplies. Other regions are also developing quickly; for instance, the American company Iozera agreed last year to invest $500 million to establish a data center in Tetouan.

According to Doha Ammour, vice president of International Business Development at N+ONE Datacenters, site selection depends on multiple factors like proximity to business hubs, regional infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. These criteria naturally guide the industry's growth to optimal locations.

Morocco’s digital advancement goes beyond data centers. Recent progress in fintech, artificial intelligence, and e-government initiatives such as Digital Morocco 2030 were highlighted at the Gitex Africa 2025 tech expo in Marrakech. The event attracted more than 1,400 exhibitors and over 45,000 visitors from more than 130 countries.