To function, an artificial intelligence needs very powerful “brains”: machines capable of processing enormous volumes of data in record time. These capabilities are found in data centers, those large computing centers that constitute the cornerstone of the digital world.
Data centers and the cloud, between limitations and political choices
In Morocco, data center infrastructure exists, but it remains insufficient for very advanced uses. “Capacity is still limited when it comes to supporting advanced large-scale uses,” explains an industry expert.
Another difficulty persists. The most powerful resources, particularly specialized processors (GPUs), are scarce and often already in use. As a result, it becomes difficult for new projects to get off the ground.
Yet the ambitions are there. Several “AI farms” projects (large centers dedicated to artificial intelligence) have been announced in recent years. But for now, none have come to fruition. “The real challenge is taking the plunge,” our source sums up.
When a company stores its data, it can choose between several options. It can either turn to local services or to international cloud giants. But this choice is not without consequences.
“An international cloud service can be technically efficient and hosted in Morocco, but this can raise sovereignty issues if extraterritorial laws apply”
In Morocco, companies must first sort and classify their data, according to rules set in particular by the General Directorate of Information Systems Security (DGSSI). Some sensitive data must be particularly well protected.
The dilemma is as follows: major international players often offer very high-performing technologies. But they can also be subject to foreign laws that do not comply with local legislation. “An international cloud service can be technically efficient and hosted in Morocco, but this can raise sovereignty issues if extraterritorial laws apply,” the expert points out.
Conversely, local solutions allow for better control over data. But they still have to prove that they can compete in terms of performance and security.
The obstacle of weak connectivity
For a data center to function properly, three elements are essential: electricity, cooling… and above all, an internet connection. On this last point, Morocco still has a long way to go. “The main point of concern in Morocco remains connectivity,” our source explains.
The market is dominated by a small number of players, which limits competition and stifles innovation. “All the more so since some telecom operators are themselves positioned in the data center segment, which complicates the emergence of a true level playing field (fair competition among all the sector’s players, ed.),” the expert adds. And internationally, connections still rely on a limited number of undersea cables, which are essential for linking the country to the rest of the world.
Progress is being made, such as the arrival of the Medusa cable in Nador, but the infrastructure remains insufficient to profoundly transform the landscape.
On the energy side, the problem is different. Morocco does not lack electricity, but it must anticipate the future rise in demand, particularly with the development of more powerful data centers. “The challenge is to acquire the necessary capacity to keep up with the surge in demand,” the expert specifies.
In any case, Morocco is today capable of hosting a large portion of its strategic data on its own territory. The ecosystem has organized itself, and some international players have even set up locally.
But to become a true regional digital hub, the country will still have to clear several hurdles. It needs, among other things, to invest in more powerful infrastructure, improve its connectivity, and accelerate the projects that have been announced. In other words, the foundations are in place. What remains is to build the upper floor.
Written in French by Amine Belghazi, edited in English by Eric Nielson
