Launch of Morocco Digital for Sustainable Development Hub in New York to accelerate digital transformation in Africa, Arab Region

Morocco has officially launched, this week in New York, the “Morocco Digital for Sustainable Development Hub” (D4SD) with a view to accelerating digital transformation in Africa and the Arab region.

The hub was launched by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The launch ceremony was held on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, in the presence of Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, high-ranking UN officials, private sector partners and civil society representatives, and other members of the Moroccan delegation.

This strategic initiative positions Morocco as a regional and continental catalyst of inclusive and sustainable digital transformation, at the service of African and Arab countries.

“Adopting artificial intelligence is a decisive global stake, and Morocco is determined to play an active role by putting the technology at the service of an inclusive and sustainable human development,” Akhannouch stated during the ceremony.

This initiative reflects Morocco’s ongoing determination to make technology a driver of equity, innovation, and opportunity, both within its borders and across Africa and the Arab region. The D4SD Hub translates Morocco’s vision of a digital future that leaves no one behind into a concrete reality, supported by firm commitment and collective expertise of all partners.

With two-thirds of the world’s population connected to the Internet, digital transformation is reshaping economies and societies, with artificial intelligence at the heart of this change. But Arab and African countries face persistent challenges: fragmented systems, talent shortages, high costs, and a lack of harmonization in public policies. The D4SD Hub addresses these challenges by offering a regional platform for co-creating and deploying inclusive, human-centered solutions.

The Hub will focus on AI applications in priority areas such as health, education, climate resilience, and governance, while empowering women and youth as digital leaders.

“Digital transformation is a key pillar of the UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2026-2029. Through the partnership with Morocco, the D4SD Hub will offer Arab and African countries a unique space to co-design and deploy digital solutions that serve both people and the planet,” said UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu.

During the event, participants discussed ways to create an Alliance for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science for Arab States and Africa, a multi-stakeholder platform complementary to the Hub aimed at harmonizing standards, developing skills, and promoting the responsible use of AI for sustainable development.

Through this initiative, Morocco confirms its leadership in South-South cooperation for digital transformation and its alignment with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, the UNDP’s Global Digital Strategy, and the digital agendas of the African Union and the Arab League.