Morocco has taken a definitive step toward technological sovereignty with the establishment of the JAZARI ROOT Institute, a new national hub designed to anchor the country's artificial intelligence ecosystem.
In a landmark move for North African tech, the Moroccan government officially signed an agreement this week to create the JAZARI ROOT Institute, a public-benefit entity that will serve as the central nervous system for the nation's AI ambitions. The signing took place during the "AI Made in Morocco" National Meeting, organized by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform.
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The Brain Behind the Operation: JAZARI ROOT
The JAZARI ROOT Institute is not just a research center; it is designed to be the reference platform for coordinating all national efforts in artificial intelligence. Its primary mission is to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world application. By pooling technological capabilities, the institute aims to align innovation directly with the operational needs of public administrations and territorial authorities.
This move signals a shift from simply adopting foreign tech to building "AI Made in Morocco," ensuring that the solutions deployed in the Kingdom are homegrown, relevant, and secure.
A Decentralized Approach: The JAZARI Network
One of the most ambitious aspects of this initiative is its scope. JAZARI ROOT will act as the backbone for the broader JAZARI Network, which plans to establish institutes across all twelve regions of the Kingdom.
Unlike centralized tech hubs that often leave rural or non-metropolitan areas behind, this decentralized structure is designed to bring artificial intelligence closer to territorial realities. It ensures that the benefits of AI—from smarter public services to local development tools—are integrated evenly across the country.
Driving "Digital Morocco 2030"
This initiative is a cornerstone of the "Digital Morocco 2030" strategy, which prioritizes digital transformation, innovation, and perhaps most importantly, technological sovereignty.
By fostering local talent and creating a sovereign infrastructure, Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in the African AI landscape. The founding agreement reflects this massive scale, bringing together twelve ministerial departments and five strategic actors from the private and digital sectors.
Morocco’s multi-stakeholder approach, uniting government, private sectors, and regional bodies, sets a powerful precedent for how African nations can harness emerging technologies. As the continent looks to leapfrog legacy infrastructure, initiatives like the JAZARI Network demonstrate that the future of African tech is not just about using AI but mastering it.