With 23 facilities, Morocco becomes Africa's top data center destination
Morocco has emerged as Africa's leading data center hub, overtaking South Africa with 23 operational facilities across the kingdom. According to Global Finance Magazine, the North African nation's rapid digital transformation began gaining momentum in 2020 when the Agency for Digital Development prioritized digital infrastructure development. The government subsequently implemented sector incentives including tax cuts and exemptions through the National Charter of Investment.
A pivotal 2021 law mandating that all sensitive data be hosted within Morocco's borders has driven significant data repatriation, fueling the sector's expansion. Major telecom operators Maroc Telecom and Inwi, alongside specialized providers like Medasys and N+One, currently own most facilities. Large banks operate their own centers while smaller institutions lease storage space.
Regional competition has intensified, with Casablanca-Settat and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra leading in facility concentration due to full internet penetration and reliable energy infrastructure.
Morocco's strategic positioning has attracted major international players, with South Korean tech giant Naver recently announcing plans for a major AI data center in Morocco, targeting European markets with a 500-megawatt capacity facility. The project leverages Morocco's low electricity costs and extensive undersea cable connections.
The digital transformation extends beyond data centers, encompassing fintech, AI, and e-government initiatives showcased at April's Gitex Africa tech expo in Marrakech, which attracted over 1,400 exhibitors and 45,000 visitors from 130 countries.
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