Onepoint to open AI centre of excellence in Casablanca
New data and AI centre to create 500 jobs by 2029; drive digital transformation
#Morocco #CoEs - French management consulting firm Onepoint has signed a partnership agreement with the government of Morocco, under which it will establish a Data & Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in the Casablanca-Settat region. The agreement, signed in Rabat with three government ministers present, aims to help accelerate digital transformation across Morocco's industrial and administrative sectors. The new CoE is expected to create 500 new job opportunities by 2029 and foster development of a sovereign innovation ecosystem in data and AI.
SO WHAT? - Morocco is seeing a rapid expansion of AI infrastructure as the government implements its Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, which is driving digital transformation across the economy and public services. Key communications and technology firms, investors and bilaterial investment programmes have also ramped up, building out data centres and CoEs, plus strategic partnerships with government, commercial and education sectors. So, Onepoint’s investment in Morocco is a timely one, both considering Digital Morocco and the consultancy firm’s own plans to drive €1 billion in revenue from overseas operations within four years.
Here are some key points about the Onepoint agreement:
French management consulting firm Onepoint has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the government of Morocco in Rabat on Tuesday. Under the agreement Onepoint will establish a Data & Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in the Casablanca-Settat region.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade; Amal El Fallah Serghouchni, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform; Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Investment, Convergence, and the Evaluation of Public Policies; Ali Seddiki, Director General of the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE); and David Layani, Founder and Chairman of Onepoint.
The Data & Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence is expected to create 500 new employment opportunities by 2029 across research and development.
The centre targets Industry 4.0 and digital transformation of Morocco's industrial and administrative sectors with focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Onepoint established its Moroccan operations in 2024 and now formalises long-term commitment through this government partnership.
The new CoE will provide a research and innovation hub to design, develop, and operate AI solutions in Morocco.
Agreement forms part of Onepoint's "Infinite Possibilities" international expansion roadmap announced in January 2025 for growth through 2029. The company aims to revenue increased to €1 billion within four years by driving international business.
The French firm operates across six countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Malaysia, and Singapore with 4,000 employees globally. The new agreement with the Moroccan government is Onepoint’s first major African investment.
ZOOM OUT - Last week Morocco announced plans to open regional centres of excellence across the country to support digital inclusion across underserved areas of the country. The programme falls under the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy, which aims to position the country as a leading digital economy in Africa by creating 3,000 startups, generating MAD 40 billion ($4.4b) in digital exports, and training 100,000 digital talents annually. The strategy emphasises inclusive digitalisation through hybrid cloud infrastructure, AI adoption across public and private sectors, and nationwide connectivity improvements reaching 1,800 rural localities by 2026.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
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