Morocco is steadily carving out a place as a rising hub for artificial intelligence in North Africa, according to a new Mastercard white paper on the responsible adoption of AI across the continent.
The report notes that Morocco has been rolling out AI initiatives across a wide range of sectors, from healthcare and energy to agriculture and finance. Key players driving this momentum include the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and the start-up DeepEcho, while the annual MoroccoAI conference has become a focal point for national discussions on the future of the technology.
As part of its “Digital 2030” strategy, the country is aiming to attract $1.1 billion in investment and create 240,000 digital jobs by the end of the decade. Yet Mastercard warns that challenges remain, including fragmented data systems, language barriers, and uneven regulatory frameworks. Left unaddressed, these issues could deepen the digital divide.
This roadmap comes at a time when Africa’s AI market—valued at $4.5 billion in 2025—is projected to soar to $16.5 billion by 2030. The report underscores the importance of close collaboration between governments, private sector leaders, and international organizations to ensure AI development is both inclusive and ethical, fostering job creation while expanding access to financial services.
