The Confederation General of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), represented by its president Chakib Alj, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KAOUN International, the organizer of GITEX, today in Marrakech during GITEX AFRICA. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the efforts to promote the tech ecosystem and support startups in Morocco and across the African continent.
Chakib Alj expressed his honor in addressing the prestigious and inspiring audience at the opening of the second edition of GITEX AFRICA. He emphasized the significance of this collaboration in fostering innovation, creating new opportunities, and building a robust platform for entrepreneurs to thrive. Over the past year, many startups have emerged in Morocco and throughout Africa, and Alj was proud to see their representation at the event.
Alj noted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in not only changing lives but also revolutionizing economies and various sectors by providing solutions to the specific challenges of the African continent. He highlighted that sustaining Africa’s growth as a technology and AI powerhouse is crucial for the continent’s industrialization, growth, and job creation, particularly with the African population expected to double by 2050, with 50% of Africans being under 25 years old.
Despite these advances, Alj pointed out several challenges that need to be addressed to fully leverage the development of the tech ecosystem. These include the need for consolidation of physical and digital infrastructures, the importance of creating synergies to support entrepreneurs, and addressing the significant decrease in funding for African startups. In 2023, African startups raised 40% less funds than in 2022, underscoring the need for governments to implement appropriate funding programs to promote startups.
Alj concluded by emphasizing the critical time for the African continent, urging the necessary efforts to provide young people with the means to find solutions to the needs of their populations and to conquer the world. “The best is yet to come!” he declared.
