5G technology central to Morocco's future economic and political challenges
via Le Matin4 min read
The 2026 Africa Executive Roundtable, organized by One Africa Forums in partnership with Ericsson and under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, highlighted 5G as a critical infrastructure for national competitiveness. Discussions in Rabat emphasized that 5G is more than a technological advancement; it is a driver of industrial power and sovereignty, crucial for African economies undergoing digital, industrial, and energy transitions. Khadija Laraqui, Development Director at One Africa Forums, underscored 5G's role as the backbone for African development, linking performance, innovation, and sustainability. Mohamed Ouhmed, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, noted 5G's potential for industrial performance and energy management optimization, aligning with Morocco's green transition. The event also stressed digital sovereignty, with Badr Ndour, Head of Networks at Ericsson for West and Southern Africa, advocating for trusted partners to ensure regulatory compliance and data protection. Amine El Rhayour, Vice-President of OMSN, discussed how 5G, particularly private 5G, can transform industrial models and enhance local value creation, citing logistics as an example where intelligent systems can optimize operations. He also emphasized the need for sovereign cloud solutions to retain control over data and its generated wealth. Speakers presented various applications, from Industry 4.0 to sma
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TAQA Morocco, primarily known for its energy sector activities, is expanding its societal commitment to address water challenges in Morocco. On World Environment Day, the TAQA Morocco for Community program announced a call for expressions of interest focused on innovation in sustainable and responsible water resource management. This initiative comes as Morocco faces increasing pressure on its water resources due to prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall, and rising demand. Rural areas particularly struggle with access to drinking water, water quality, treatment, and loss reduction. The call for projects seeks practical, field-adapted solutions. Project proponents should propose initiatives to secure access to drinking water in vulnerable areas, improve water treatment and quality, or better manage available resources by limiting losses. The program emphasizes solutions utilizing new technologies, such as sensors, data, and artificial intelligence, to monitor consumption, detect leaks, control water quality, and improve network management in rural territories. The call for expressions of interest is open to Moroccan startups in the seed or development phase, as well as students, doctoral candidates, and young researchers from universities and research centers. Applications can be submitted individually or in groups, allowing for the collaboration of technical, scientific, and entrepreneurial profiles. Two prizes will be awarded: one for startups and another for researchers wi
Must ReadA new study, "The Family Business in Morocco in Figures," conducted by the Institute of Family Business of Morocco IEF-Maroc with support from the International Finance Corporation IFC, reveals that 92.9% of active businesses in Morocco are family-owned. These enterprises employ approximately 6.3 million people, representing 65% of the private sector workforce, and contribute 60.5% to the national added value. The study, presented at a conference in Casablanca, highlighted the critical role of family businesses while also exposing a major challenge: only one in twenty family businesses survives beyond two intergenerational transfers. This fragility is evident in governance structures, with three-quarters of family businesses managed exclusively by family members, and a third having a board composed solely of relatives. Kacem Bennani-Smires, President of IEF-Maroc, emphasized the importance of preparing for succession to preserve family legacies and national heritage. Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC Regional Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa, echoed this sentiment, stating that failed transmissions erase a part of family and Moroccan history. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Commerce, urged family business leaders to embrace technological advancement and international expansion to create new value. The conference also saw the signing of an agreement between IEF-Maroc and Maroc PME to deploy a specific support mechanism for family business succession, marking a fir
MEDI1TV has received authorization to establish, operate, and broadcast its programs in Mali. This agreement, made with the High Authority of Communication of Mali, aims to promote information about African realities and developments, aligning with the cooperative relations between Morocco and Mali. The channel, which already has a presence in Mali through Radio Méditerranée Internationale Medi 1 broadcasting in Bamako, plans to expand its footprint in the Malian audiovisual landscape. MEDI1TV intends to strengthen cooperation with Malian audiovisual stakeholders through expertise sharing, training, and innovation, particularly in the digital sector. The channel also affirmed its commitment to operating within Malian regulatory frameworks and upholding journalistic ethics and rigor.
Must ReadThe first Pan-African Media Forum, FOPAME, was held in Bamako, Mali, after a five-week postponement due to a terrorist attack on April 25, 2026. Morocco was the only country designated as the guest of honor. Salif Sanogo, President of the FOPAME Organizing Committee, emphasized the historical role of Africans as guardians of their own narratives, referencing the Kurukan Fuga Charter of 1236 and Timbuktu's Sankore University built in 1324. Bandiougou Dante, General Coordinator of FOPAME and President of the Mali Press House, opened the forum by honoring Mohamed Hamid Cissé, the forum's scientific committee president, who passed away on April 9. Dante also called for the release of journalist Youssouf Sissoko, the only Malian journalist imprisoned for his work. Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, the Malian Prime Minister, delivered a politically charged opening speech, identifying three forms of terrorism facing Sahel states: armed, economic, and media terrorism. He advocated for a 21st-century pan-Africanism that is media, digital, and informational, and debunked "misconceptions" about Mali's transition, asserting its clear direction, broad African support, and the defensive nature of the Alliance of Sahel States. Professor Martin Faye's inaugural conference, "African Media in the Digital Age: Independence, Innovation, and Narrative Sovereignty," provided a conceptual framework. He discussed the end of the media's monopoly on information, the economic vulnerability of African medi