During a high-level session at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2025, themed “Unlocking Africa’s digital potential through infrastructure,” Mr. Zniber called for greater mobilization to build solid infrastructure and promote innovative partnerships, particularly in developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs).
The meeting, co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Morocco and France in Geneva, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC France), and the French Association of Private Enterprises (AFEP), brought together representatives from the public sector, international organizations, and African private actors to discuss the structural barriers that hinder digital trade on the continent, including infrastructure gaps, uneven connectivity, often inadequate regulatory frameworks, and a lack of accessible payment solutions.
Speaking at the event, the diplomat noted that the digital economy is a strategic lever for development. “The future of trade is green, digital, and inclusive,” he said, borrowing the words of WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. In his view, “digital trade must be rooted in a logic of solidarity, development, and technological sovereignty.”
In terms of achievements, the ambassador presented the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, launched in 2024, which aims to create 240,000 direct jobs, add 100 billion dirhams to the national GDP by 2030, and raise Morocco to the top 50 countries in the global digital services index.
He also highlighted a number of key initiatives (PortNet, BADR, and TijarIA), noting that Morocco intends to play a role as a digital hub in Africa, combining innovation, inclusion, and sovereignty.
Beyond infrastructure, Mr. Zniber mentioned the Atlantic Initiative led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which aims to connect the Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean via modern logistics corridors while making proven Moroccan technologies available.
For her part, the Director General of the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, highlighted the genuine commitment of sub-Saharan African countries to digital transformation.
After identifying six major obstacles—deficient digital infrastructure, regulatory gaps, lack of reliable digital payments, limited institutional capacity, difficulty in financing, and lack of human skills—she called for regulation and investment to work together and for specialized national agencies to ensure the effective implementation of digital strategies.
The discussions highlighted several key elements, including the link between digitalization and rural inclusion, the role of digital services in education and health, and the importance of a favorable regulatory framework to attract investment.
Editorial team/le7tv