On the sidelines of the 3rd edition of GITEX Africa Morocco, CIH Bank and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) signed a strategic framework agreement in Marrakech aimed at accelerating innovation in banking through training, research, and tech-driven collaboration.
The agreement, signed by CIH Bank CEO Lotfi Sekkat and UM6P President Hicham El Habti, lays the foundation for a dynamic partnership focused on three key pillars: executive education, startup and fintech acceleration, and the co-development of banking innovation.
“This agreement is about creating the right environment for students already immersed in technology to innovate in finance and banking,” said Sekkat. “We want to establish a tech-enabled ecosystem around CIH Bank, one that connects future talent to the financial system and encourages real-world experimentation.”
The partnership also includes the organization of joint events to foster knowledge exchange, community learning, and collaboration between academia and the financial industry.
More than just a knowledge-sharing initiative, the alliance reflects a broader ambition: to position Morocco as a hub for financial innovation in Africa by nurturing a new generation of digitally savvy banking professionals.
The announcement comes amid a vibrant atmosphere at GITEX Africa Morocco 2025, which has brought together over 45,000 participants and 1,400 exhibitors from 130+ countries. This year’s edition places strong emphasis on tech disruption, creative industries, and high-impact networking, setting the stage for cross-sector partnerships like that of CIH Bank and UM6P.
