Casablanca – Morocco is continuing to advance its national digital transformation agenda through a wide-ranging set of infrastructure, connectivity, and skills development programs aimed at reducing the digital divide and strengthening the country’s digital economy. Recent parliamentary updates from the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform highlight major progress in broadband coverage, mobile network expansion, and fiber-optic deployment, alongside long-term investments in human capital and digital services.

A key milestone has been reached with the completion of the first phase of the National Plan for the Development of High and Very High-Speed Broadband. According to official figures presented before the House of Representatives, more than 10,690 areas out of 10,740 targeted zones are now covered by 2G, 3G, and 4G services. This achievement marks what authorities describe as near-complete coverage of the initially planned zones, particularly benefiting rural and remote communities that previously faced limited or no access to reliable connectivity.

Building on this progress, the government has launched a second phase of the program, scheduled for implementation through 2026. This phase targets an additional 2,000 rural areas, with a focus on improving both coverage and service quality. The selection of these zones has been conducted through a participatory approach involving local authorities, elected officials, and parliamentary representatives, aiming to ensure that deployment priorities reflect local needs and territorial disparities.

To address geographical constraints in hard-to-reach regions, Morocco is increasingly relying on hybrid technological solutions. Satellite-based connectivity (VSAT) is being deployed in areas where terrestrial networks are not feasible. Users in these zones can benefit from state-supported financial assistance of up to $250 per subscription, with the program capped at approximately 4,000 beneficiaries per year. This approach is intended to ensure minimum service availability even in geographically isolated communities.

At the same time, Morocco is expanding its next-generation mobile infrastructure. Fifth-generation (5G) services have already been launched in more than 50 cities, reaching an estimated 7 million subscribers. The rollout is supported by long-term investment commitments from telecom operators exceeding approximately $8.25 billion by 2035. The national strategy aims to extend 5G coverage to around 45% of the population by 2026 and 85% by 2030, positioning the technology as a central pillar of future digital services and industrial applications.

Parallel to mobile network expansion, the country is also accelerating its fiber-optic deployment strategy. The national fiber plan targets the connection of 5.6 million households by 2030. Authorities are promoting infrastructure sharing between operators and enforcing regulatory measures requiring fiber installation in new housing developments and urban projects. This policy is designed to ensure that high-speed fixed broadband becomes a standard feature of future residential and commercial construction.

In addition to infrastructure development, Morocco is also working to enhance nationwide access through complementary measures such as national roaming, which already extends coverage to more than 7,300 areas. These combined efforts are intended to maximize network reach while improving service continuity across different regions and operators.

Beyond connectivity infrastructure, the digital transformation strategy also places strong emphasis on public service digitization and economic modernization. The broader “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy focuses on simplifying administrative procedures, expanding e-government services, and improving user access through centralized digital platforms. More than 600 public digital services are already available online, with ongoing efforts to standardize and secure data management in line with national cybersecurity and personal data protection regulations.

Authorities report that around half of digital administrative processes have already been adapted to comply with legal frameworks governing data protection and cybersecurity, with gradual expansion planned across all services. New digital platforms, including unified service portals and intelligent systems designed to support automated assistance, are also under development to improve administrative efficiency and user experience.

Human capital development remains a central component of the strategy. Morocco plans to significantly increase the number of university graduates in digital fields, raising annual output from approximately 8,000 to 22,500 graduates by 2027. This expansion is supported by new academic programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, big data, and software engineering across public universities. Additional initiatives include doctoral research funding programs, coding schools, and large-scale training schemes targeting youth and job seekers in digital skills.

Emerging technology and innovation initiatives are also being promoted, including national programs in artificial intelligence, regional innovation hubs, and startup support mechanisms. These efforts aim to position Morocco as a regional digital hub while strengthening technological sovereignty and encouraging domestic innovation capacity.

These developments reflect a coordinated national strategy that combines infrastructure expansion, digital governance reform, and skills development. With near-universal rural broadband coverage approaching completion, accelerated 5G deployment underway, and long-term fiber-optic targets in place, Morocco is entering a new phase of digital transformation aimed at building a more inclusive, connected, and competitive digital economy.