Morocco is making significant strides in the technology sector, as the North African country announced this week the setting up of a new Tech Trades Complex in the city of Lahraouyine as part of its ambitious 'Digital Morocco 2030' agenda.

Morocco's News Agency (MAP) reported the Tech Trades Complex, located in the province of Médiouna, will train young Moroccans in a range of tech professions while also enhancing the capacities of local technology companies.

According to the news agency, the complex provides specialised training programs, such as software development, programming languages, application and website development, data analysis, digital marketing, cybersecurity, performance analysis, and artificial intelligence (AI).

It also offers training in digital project management, including effective planning and implementation methods in the digital environment, as well as social entrepreneurship, which is one of Morocco Digital 2030's main KPIs.

Morocco's Digital 2030 strategy seeks at transforming the country's economy and society, with the goal of creating 240,000 jobs in the technology sector by 2030, adding around $10.36 billion to the country's GDP, according to the SAMENA Telecommunications Council.

SAMENA Telecommunications Council is a non-profit telecoms association that represents the interests of South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African telecom operators, manufacturers, telecom regulators, and academia.

According to Council, Morocco’s strategy also aims to launch 3,000 start-ups within the digital economy, focusing on emerging technologies such as: AI, distributed ledger technology and cloud services.

Hassan Bela, head of the support department for vulnerable individuals in Mediouna, is quoted by MAP as saying: “The complex will help young people qualify for the job market as part of a broader strategy to adapt to changing labour market trends in Morocco.”

The opening of the tech trades complex is one of the most recent developments in the country's technology sector, following Oracle's announcement earlier this year of expanded investments in Morocco.

The US-based company revealed plans for setting up two Cloud Regions in the North African country.

Oracle Cloud Regions, according to the firm, will offer enterprise cloud services to African and regional organisations.

Oracle also stated it will increase its research and development capabilities in Morocco by hiring 1,000 information technology specialists.