Morocco has officially launched the Morocco Digital Hub for Sustainable Development (D4SD) during a high-level event at the 80th UN General Assembly last week. This ambitious project creates a strategic partnership between Morocco and the United Nations Development Programme, supported by key industry leaders from across the digital ecosystem.
Morocco Digital 2030 Strategy Powers Economic Growth
The new digital hub directly supports Morocco’s comprehensive Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, which targets massive economic transformation. The plan mobilizes 1.1 billion dirhams between 2024 and 2026, with ambitious goals to train 100,000 young people annually in digital skills and create 240,000 jobs in the technology sector.
Morocco’s digital strategy plans to add $10.36 billion to national output by 2030 while generating substantial employment opportunities. The government expects to launch 3,000 startups through this initiative, with aspirations to produce 1-2 unicorn companies and reach $4.15 billion in digital exports.
UN Partnership Strengthens Regional Digital Leadership
The partnership with UNDP creates a foundation for Morocco to lead digital transformation across both the Arab States and African regions. Marina Walter, Deputy Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States, emphasized Morocco’s commitment to building an inclusive digital ecosystem that delivers real development impact.
The collaboration addresses systemic barriers that continue to limit digital progress across developing nations. These include fragmented infrastructure, limited access to AI capabilities, underinvestment in digital innovation, and uncoordinated regulatory frameworks.
Digital Progress Shows Strong International Rankings
Morocco’s digital governance efforts have gained international recognition through impressive ranking improvements. The country now ranks 90th worldwide and 4th in Africa in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index, scoring 0.6841 out of 1, well above both African and global averages.
Internet penetration in the Arab region has increased from 28.8% in 2012 to 70.3% in 2022, reaching 327 million users. Meanwhile, Africa’s internet access grew from 25% in 2019 to 38% in 2024.
Hub Creates Platform for Innovation and Knowledge Sharing
The D4SD Hub serves as a regional platform that promotes collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing in artificial intelligence and data science across Africa and the Arab world. The program positions Morocco as a digital bridge between these two regions while modernizing administration, boosting the digital economy, and promoting inclusive sustainable development.
This initiative gives governments, businesses, and research institutions across the region access to digital tools for addressing development challenges. The hub supports the global effort to accelerate Sustainable Development Goals through digital innovation, with digital technologies potentially impacting 70% of SDG targets.
Morocco Targets Top 50 UN Digital Services Ranking
The Digital Morocco 2030 strategy sets specific targets for technological advancement. Morocco plans to improve its position in the UN Online Services Index from 100th place to the top 50 by 2030. The plan focuses on two main pillars: digitizing public services and accelerating the digital economy through a dual approach designed to improve governance while driving economic growth.
The successful launch at the UN General Assembly demonstrates Morocco’s commitment to multilateral partnerships and its growing influence in global digital governance discussions. The initiative attracts international attention and potentially inspires similar regional digital cooperation frameworks across other developing regions.
Regional Center of Excellence Drives Continental Development
The D4SD Hub embodies Morocco’s vision of using digital innovation to drive sustainable development across Africa and the Arab world. As governments worldwide seek to harness technology for development goals, Morocco’s approach offers a model for regional cooperation and digital leadership.
The launch positions Morocco as a leader in building digital solutions that balance economic growth with sustainability and inclusivity. This initiative reinforces the kingdom’s ambition to become a technology-driven hub for the region while contributing to broader continental development objectives.
