In a bold step to decentralise innovation and harness artificial intelligence (AI) for inclusive economic growth, Morocco has announced the establishment of the Jazari Institute, a new national AI research centre dedicated to sustainable development.
Launched on April 14 during the third edition of Gitex Africa 2025 in Marrakech, the institute is a flagship initiative under Morocco’s Digital 2030 strategy, which seeks to transform technological advancements into real-world impact, particularly in historically underserved regions.
Unlike earlier AI initiatives concentrated in academic and industrial hubs, the Jazari Institute will be located in Guelmim-Oued Noun, a southern region often absent from the national innovation map. The choice of location underscores a deliberate move to promote regional equity and technological empowerment across all parts of the country.
“The Jazari Institute is not just a research facility; it’s a catalyst for economic decentralisation and inclusive innovation,” said Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Morocco’s Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, during the official announcement. The signing ceremony also included Minister of Higher Education Azzedine El Midaoui and Guelmim-Oued Noun Regional President Mbarka Bouaida, reflecting a cross-sector commitment to the institute’s mission.
Named after 12th-century inventor Al-Jazari, the institute will focus on applying AI to key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, health, tourism, and the blue economy. It will serve as a collaborative platform connecting universities, public institutions, and businesses to co-develop locally adapted technological solutions. In addition to research, the centre will support startup incubation and scientific knowledge transfer.
The Jazari Institute is Morocco’s third major AI initiative, following the Moroccan International Centre of Artificial Intelligence (AI Movement) launched in partnership with UNESCO in 2022, and the Digital Centre for Sustainable Development (D4SD) created with support from the United Nations Development Programme. However, Jazari stands out for its emphasis on regional development, the digital inclusion of SMES, and reinforcing the “Made in Morocco” innovation identity, especially in the southern provinces.
Experts and digital policy advocates have welcomed the move. “The Jazari Institute signals a shift in thinking—it demonstrates that equitable AI growth depends on geographically inclusive policies,” said a senior analyst from the Digital Africa Initiative. “This model has the potential to inspire similar AI-for-development frameworks across the Global South.”
With the Jazari Institute, Morocco is not only asserting its leadership in African AI advancement, but also championing a vision of technology that is rooted in local realities and built to serve all communities.
Article by Jed Mwangi
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