Morocco is fast transforming into a digital powerhouse, leveraging its growing network of data centers not only to secure national data sovereignty but also to anchor its rising status as a strategic tech hub in Africa. 

With 23 operational data centers as of mid-2025, the country has outpaced its continental peers, becoming the leading host of data infrastructure on the African continent, according to Global Finance Magazine.

What began as a strategic policy shift five years ago has now evolved into a full-fledged digital transformation. In 2020, Morocco’s Agency for Digital Development identified digital infrastructure as a top national priority. That vision materialized with aggressive investment incentives outlined in the National Charter of Investment, offering tax breaks and exemptions that catalyzed rapid growth in data infrastructure.

The pivotal move came in 2021 when legislation mandated that all sensitive national data be stored within the country’s borders. This triggered a wave of data repatriation and drove demand for local storage capabilities. 

Today, major telecom providers like Maroc Telecom and Inwi, alongside private operators such as Medasys and N+One, dominate the data center landscape. Large financial institutions own dedicated centers, while smaller banks and businesses lease storage space.

Regional competition has also intensified. Casablanca-Settat and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra currently host the majority of facilities, capitalizing on robust energy availability and high internet penetration rates. Other regions are stepping up by offering localized incentives to attract infrastructure investments.

“Datacenter location decisions are driven by a complex interplay of factors, including proximity to business hubs, regional infrastructure capabilities, and long-term operational sustainability,” noted Doha Ammour, Vice President of International Business Development at N+ONE Datacenters.

Yet Morocco’s digital ambitions don’t end with data centers. The country’s momentum in fintech, artificial intelligence, and digital governance is also gaining global attention. This was on full display at the Gitex Africa 2025 tech expo in Marrakech this April, where more than 1,400 exhibitors and 45,000 visitors from over 130 countries gathered to witness Morocco’s expanding digital ecosystem.

Through strategic policy, infrastructure investment, and international engagement, Morocco is no longer just preparing for the digital future; it is building it.