logo
Oracle Opens R&D Center in Casablanca, Paves Way for Morocco's Digital Leap

Oracle Opens R&D Center in Casablanca, Paves Way for Morocco's Digital Leap

Morocco World3 days ago

Rabat – Morocco's ambitions in tech took a new step forward this week with the official opening of Oracle's new research and development center in Casablanca.
Located in CasaNearshore Park, the high-tech facility will host over 1,000 Moroccan engineers, developers, and technicians by 2027.
Speaking at the launch, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch called the center 'a cornerstone in Morocco's plan to place digital innovation at the heart of its national project.'
'Morocco is moving with purpose to boost its role as a regional tech hub,' Akhannouch said. 'This center reflects our commitment to invest in innovation, digital sovereignty, and talent.'
The initiative aligns with the broader goals of the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, 'which aims to turn technology into a force for economic growth and social equity,' he added.
The roadmap, introduced last September, sets out to modernize public services, reduce inequality, and support the emergence of a new generation of Moroccan tech professionals.
'This is where young Moroccans build their future'
Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, shares the same vision.
'There's pride in seeing what's happening here,' she said. 'We're not just cutting a ribbon. We're meeting young Moroccans who are creating technologies that will travel far beyond our borders.'
She shared figures that show the project's growth, saying that 300 Moroccan professionals are already working at the center. 'That number will triple in the next two years. And I'm not even counting interns. We have so many bright minds learning and contributing here every day,' added the minister.
For Seghrouchni, this site represents more than a mere office building. 'It's a space where Moroccan talent can take root and expand. Oracle is offering real support to help young people sharpen their digital skills. That matters.'
Pascal Sero, Oracle's Vice President of Research and Development, looked back on the journey that led to this moment. 'We started with four or five engineers in Morocco,' he said. 'Now we have 600. That didn't happen by accident.'
He credited the country's education system and the drive of Moroccan professionals. 'The engineers we've hired here have the expertise and the creativity. We've seen real commitment, and that's what allowed us to grow.'
For Sero, the center also answers a deeper question about talent mobility. 'I'm proud that we've brought back Moroccan engineers who left the country looking for opportunity. They now realize they can build world-class technology right here, at home. That's a win for them, for us, and for Morocco.'
Oracle's partnership with Morocco stretches far beyond hiring. According to Akhannouch, the company will also support the training and certification of 20,000 Moroccan students through university partnerships, planting further seeds for the country's digital ecosystem.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Morocco Hits Record Rasberry Exports to Middle East
Morocco Hits Record Rasberry Exports to Middle East

Morocco World

time7 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco Hits Record Rasberry Exports to Middle East

Morocco has set a new benchmark for its raspberry exports to the Middle East, reaching 700 tonnes just three months before the close of the 2024/2025 export season, according to agricultural data platform EastFruit. This surge, achieved during the first nine months of the current marketing campaign, marks a significant milestone for Moroccan agriculture. The boost is credited to the strong positioning of Moroccan raspberries during off-peak periods in rival markets, consistently high product quality, and a targeted trade strategy aimed at expanding in the Gulf region. Exports typically run from August through June, with major shipping peaks between October–November and February–May. October 2024 stood out as a record month, with more than 200 tonnes shipped, surpassing the combined totals of the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons. Currently, Morocco exports raspberries to seven Middle Eastern countries. The UAE and Saudi Arabia dominate as the leading importers, accounting for roughly three-quarters of the total volume. Meanwhile, shipments to Kuwait have tripled over the past three seasons, and exports to Jordan have doubled. The UAE alone has seen a 67% jump in imports over that same period. The country's market share has expanded sharply across the region. Moroccan raspberries now represent 15% of imports in the UAE, up from 7%. In Kuwait, the share has jumped from 0.2% to 5%, in Qatar from 6% to 10%, in Bahrain from 6% to 22%, and in Jordan from 0.3% to 22%. ​​While the report details Morocco's impressive growth in Middle Eastern markets, it also notes the country's rise to become the world's second-largest exporter of fresh raspberries as of 2024, second only to Mexico. This remarkable dual achievement reflects Morocco's strategic initiatives, including improved cultivation practices and targeted market diversification.

Morocco's Foreign Direct Investment Reaches $1.64 Billion: 55% Growth in 2024
Morocco's Foreign Direct Investment Reaches $1.64 Billion: 55% Growth in 2024

Morocco World

timea day ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco's Foreign Direct Investment Reaches $1.64 Billion: 55% Growth in 2024

Marrakech – Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Morocco rose by 55% in 2024, reaching $1.64 billion compared to $1.05 billion in 2023, according to the World Investment Report 2025 published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The report shows that Morocco's total FDI stock reached $61.5 billion by the end of 2024, up from $59.5 billion the previous year, demonstrating continued investor confidence in the country's economy. North Africa emerged as the primary driver of investment growth across the continent, with Morocco playing a key role alongside Tunisia, which saw a 21% increase in FDI to $936 million, and Egypt, which also experienced strong growth. However, outbound investments from Morocco declined during this period. Moroccan investments abroad fell to $694 million in 2024, down from $1.2 billion in 2023, indicating a potential shift in domestic investment priorities. The construction sector maintained its critical importance throughout Africa, addressing substantial infrastructure gaps and urban development needs. Morocco, along with Ghana and Kenya, attracted medium-sized projects with notable impact, while countries like Egypt, South Africa, and Angola secured larger-scale investments. Across the African continent, FDI flows increased by a remarkable 75% to reach a record $97 billion in 2024. This figure represented 6% of global FDI inflows, up from 4% the previous year, and 11% of total FDI directed toward developing economies, compared to just 6% in 2023. Even excluding a major international financing agreement for urban development projects in Egypt, FDI in Africa still grew by 12% to approximately $62 billion, accounting for 4% of global flows. This growth was supported by liberalization and facilitation efforts throughout the continent. Investment facilitation measures played an important role in Africa, representing 36% of investor-friendly policy measures. Liberalization also remained a key component of investment policy development in both Africa and Asia, accounting for one-fifth of measures adopted in 2024. The report reveals that European investors hold the largest FDI stock in Africa, followed by the United States and China. Chinese investments, valued at $42 billion, are diversifying into sectors such as pharmaceuticals and agri-food. Rising competition, internal issues hit Morocco's FDI While the value of international project finance contracts across Africa increased by 15%, driven by major energy and transport infrastructure projects, the number of projects decreased by 3%. Renewable energy was the only sector to register notable growth, with seven major contracts worth approximately $17 billion. These renewable energy projects included green hydrogen initiatives in Egypt and Tunisia, two large solar and wind power projects in Namibia, and a green ammonia and industrial fuel production project in Morocco. Despite these positive developments, some analysts have expressed concern about longer-term trends. When compared to the $3.6 billion of FDI Morocco received in 2018, the 2024 figure of $1.64 billion represents a 54% decline over six years, raising questions about the country's industrial development strategies. Experts note that data interpretation can be confusing, as Morocco's Exchange Office reported gross FDI of $4.34 billion in 2024. However, this figure includes various components such as equity investments, profit reinvestments, and intra-group loans, which don't necessarily reflect new capital arrivals or new project implementations. Several factors have contributed to this downward trend, including global economic uncertainty exacerbated by the Ukraine conflict, trade tensions, and persistent inflation. Regionally, competition has intensified, with countries like Egypt capturing an increasing share of African FDI through aggressive incentive policies and attractive free zones. Internal obstacles also play a role, with international investors pointing to procedural complexities, administrative response delays, governance coordination issues, and insufficient hosting infrastructure as impediments to investment. Despite these challenges, the North African country maintains numerous structural advantages, including a relatively controlled macroeconomic framework, stable legal environment, and a network of over fifty free trade agreements providing preferential access to a market of more than one billion consumers. Tags: FDI in MoroccoForeign direct investments (FDI)

Morocco Records 0.4% Dip in Living Costs in May, Inflation Persists Year-on-Year
Morocco Records 0.4% Dip in Living Costs in May, Inflation Persists Year-on-Year

Morocco World

timea day ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco Records 0.4% Dip in Living Costs in May, Inflation Persists Year-on-Year

Rabat – Morocco's cost of living edged down slightly in May, offering brief relief to households after months of price uncertainty. According to data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.4% compared to April, pulled down mainly by declines in food and fuel prices. The drop in food prices, down 0.8% overall, reflected lower costs for everyday staples. Vegetables dropped by 2.1%, fish and seafood by 1.7%, meat by 1.5%, and dairy products by 1%. Basic items like bread, cereals, fruits, and cooking oils also saw slight declines. Only one category, coffee, tea, and cocoa, went up, rising by 0.8%. Non-food products saw a smaller shift, with a 0.1% decline. Fuel prices, however, fell more sharply, by 2.7%, easing transport costs for many. Across the country, the biggest local drops appeared in Beni-Mellal, Safi, and Tangier, where prices decreased by more than 1%. Smaller declines affected cities like Fez, Casablanca, and Rabat. However, some areas, including Laayoune and Al Hoceima, recorded slight increases. Compared to last year, prices rose by 0.4% in May. Food went up by 0.5%, and non-food goods by 0.3%. Within the non-food category, transportation costs fell significantly, by 4.3%, while restaurant and hotel prices climbed by nearly 4%. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes the most volatile items like food and energy, held steady compared to April but stood 1.1% higher than a year earlier. In simple terms, Morocco's inflation appears to cool slightly, driven by seasonal dips in food and global fuel adjustments. Yet, inflation remains a nuisance to Moroccan households. The modest monthly decline offers only temporary relief, as year-on-year figures still point to a continuous rise in costs. For many, the pinch on daily expenses remains unchanged, keeping pressure on already tight budgets. Tags: economyfood priceshcp reportinflationMoroccoMorocco economy

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store