Russia Proposes Collaboration with Morocco’s National Digital Development Strategy

Alexey Andreyev, Russia’s trade representative in Morocco, said ahead of GITEX Africa 2025, which will be held in Marrakech from 14 to 16 April, that ‘Russia is ready to become Morocco’s strategic partner in implementing the national digital strategy Digital Morocco 2030.”

This is aimed at modernising Morocco’s economy and public services through digital innovation. With a focus on inclusivity, technological advancement, and robust governance, Morocco seeks to position itself as a leading digital economy in Africa and a competitive player in the global market by 2030.

The proposed solutions include digital transformation projects, development of smart cities and systems for public administration, financial services, and business operations. He pointed to several priority domains for cooperation, including AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, automated control systems, telecommunications, and smart transportation.

Andreev said that “Russia offers not only software products, but an ecosystem of digital solutions that guarantee technological sovereignty and growth” and highlighted that Russia is prepared to support Morocco through skills training and digital literacy programs, and the overall adaptability of the Russian approach. Unlike many Western business models, he said that Russian developers prioritize localization and flexibility over rigid licensing models.

Andreev further expanded this theme and said that Russia was prepared to support all African countries in developing technologies that promote self-sufficiency and sovereignty. He also stressed that while Africa is rich in resources, data has become the most valuable asset in today’s world – adding that Russia is not interested in exploiting these resources, but in equipping African nations with tools to manage and protect them.

On this key point he said that “Russian companies offer data hosting on local servers, adapting products to the requirements of domestic brands and working closely with local companies – an essential factor for countries seeking to strengthen their technological sovereignty.”

The initiative is in line with a broader strategy to strengthen economic ties with Africa. In November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that trade between Russia and African countries reached a record high of US$24.5 billion in 2024.