The Fez Smart Factory (FSF), Morocco’s first innovation ecosystem dedicated to Industry 4.0, officially launched its activities on Thursday at the Euromed University of Fez (UEMF). With a mission to foster a cutting-edge and intelligent industrial landscape, FSF marks a significant step forward in driving the nation’s transformation into a hub of advanced manufacturing and innovation.
The project, with an initial investment of 111.3 million MAD, aims to assist startups, project leaders, and industrial players in developing smart factories and innovative products. It also supports the transformation of existing industrial units into fully-fledged Industry 4.0 facilities.
Led by a consortium that includes UEMF, the Fès-Meknès Regional Council, the Fez branch of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), and the company “Alten Delivery Center,” the initiative has been realized in partnership with Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Digital Development Agency (ADD), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The FSF’s first phase is supported by the Sustainable Industrial Zones Fund (FONZID), part of the Morocco-U.S. cooperation program “Compact II,” represented by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Financial contributions include 63.67 million MAD from the MCA-Morocco agency, 20 million MAD from the Fès-Meknès Regional Council, and additional funding from UEMF, CGEM, and Alten.
Spanning an area of 6.6 hectares, the FSF is equipped with a state-of-the-art 9,000-square-meter facility that offers a wide range of services tailored to innovative businesses. These include a 4.0 incubator, a startup accelerator, research and innovation services, Industry 4.0 engineering solutions, and a Business Center.
The ecosystem also prioritizes social infrastructure, featuring amenities such as a restaurant, daycare center, medical services, staff transportation, and a single-window service center. At full capacity, FSF plans to host nearly 40 project leaders, 30 startups, 10 engineering firms, 5 research and development (R&D) entities, and 10 industrial companies in its Business Center. This collaboration between academia and industry is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Morocco’s industrial fabric while fostering innovation and research.
The second phase of FSF, currently under development, will feature Morocco’s first-ever pilot factory for Industry 4.0. Additionally, it will provide space for 93 intelligent demonstration units, showcasing the practical applications of smart manufacturing. This phase is co-financed by the “Investments for Employment” facility of the German development bank KfW, the Ministry of Industry, ADD, UNIDO, and UEMF. The pilot factory will deliver over one million hours of Industry 4.0 training, leveraging UEMF’s cutting-edge expertise in fields such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, robotics, precision mechanics, and sensor technology.
The FSF launch event gathered prominent stakeholders, including the Wali of the Fès-Meknès region, Mouaad Jamai; the President of the Fès-Meknès Regional Council, Abdelouahed El Ansari; local officials; representatives from UNIDO; CGEM leaders; and industry experts specializing in digital technology and smart manufacturing.
The Fez Smart Factory is not just an industrial project; it represents Morocco’s ambition to lead the charge in innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable growth. With its strong foundation, cutting-edge infrastructure, and collaborative spirit, the FSF is set to become a cornerstone of Morocco’s journey toward a smarter, more competitive economy.
