Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is preparing to host the second edition of its DeepTechSummit on May 8 and 9 in Benguerir, Morocco. The event aims to explore one of the most pressing questions for Africa’s future: how artificial intelligence is reshaping deep technology and redefining the ways innovation unfolds across science, industry, and entrepreneurship.
Centered on the theme “Redefining Progress,” this year’s summit is more than just a forum for ideas—it’s a hands-on experiment in applied innovation tailored to the African context. The university wants to position Benguerir as a rising hub of African technological progress by blending hard sciences, industrial innovation, venture capital, and social change into one dynamic ecosystem.
This edition of the summit sets a clear goal: to fast-track the emergence of a new generation of African innovators who can tackle structural challenges with real-world solutions. Whether it’s agriculture, healthcare, energy, or education, the event aims to empower those building the future. To do so, the summit will feature a lively mix of startup pitch sessions, one-on-one investor meetings, reverse pitch opportunities, and curated matchmaking between innovators and funders.
One of the highlights will be the awarding of the DTS Prize, which honors high-potential DeepTech startups selected from more than 150 applicants. A special prize will also recognize a standout initiative rooted in an African innovation ecosystem, reinforcing the summit’s local commitment and its mission to spotlight homegrown success stories in tech.
But the event is not just about boosting entrepreneurship. It’s also a space for forward-thinking dialogue about the sweeping technological shifts shaping the world. Artificial intelligence, once merely a tool for process optimization, is now at the center of DeepTech innovation. Its impact forces a reexamination of investment strategies, value chains, and collaboration models.
Another key theme will be quantum computing, which—though still in its early stages—holds promise for transformative breakthroughs in fields like high-performance computing, cybersecurity, and molecular modeling. For Africa, it could become a game-changer—if investments are channeled strategically into research, education, and infrastructure.
As AI disrupts both lab research and production models, this second edition of the DeepTechSummit lands at a pivotal moment. It’s a call to connect cutting-edge technology with practical realities, using Africa as a launchpad for new forms of innovation. “It’s about linking the frontiers of technology with the continent’s real challenges,” says Yassine Laghzioui, head of entrepreneurship and venturing at UM6P.
Over two days, DTS 2025 will bring together a diverse mix of researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers for panels, interactive workshops, and B2B meetings. It’s a rare blend of vision and pragmatism—a summit firmly grounded in Africa’s present, with its sights set on the future.
