Technological and Digital Professions: Partnership Agreement Signed in Rabat with AXA Group to Develop Skills

Concluded by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, Azzedine El Midaoui, the Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, and Matthieu Caillat, Technology and AI Director and Chief Executive Officer of AXA Group Operations, the agreement is part of the implementation of the High Royal Orientations relating to the enhancement of human capital and the acceleration of the Kingdom’s digital transformation.

It reflects the determination of the concerned ministerial departments to strengthen the link between higher education, applied research and the emerging needs of high-technology sectors.

The agreement is also in line with the vision carried by the “AI Made in Morocco” initiative, which aims to foster artificial intelligence designed, developed and mastered in Morocco. A sovereign AI, anchored in national priorities, serving the competitiveness of Moroccan companies, the modernisation of the administration and the creation of value for the national economy.

Moreover, it contributes to the implementation of the provisions of Framework Law No. 51.17 relating to the system of education, training and scientific research, particularly those aimed at mobilising all available resources to strengthen professional training programmes, ensure their continuous alignment with labour market needs, and support the evolution of economic and social activities.

Thus, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperation notably covering the identification and anticipation of skills needs related to cybersecurity, Data, AI, Cloud, DevOps and Testing professions, the adaptation and co-construction of initial training programmes, including work-study formats, aligned with these professions, as well as the development of specialised continuing education programmes.

It also involves the promotion of research and development projects applied to digital transformation challenges and the strengthening of internship, immersion and professional integration mechanisms.

Public universities and higher education institutions will be mobilised for this purpose, along with several schools under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, notably the Ecole Centrale Casablanca, the Arts et Métiers School – Rabat campus, the Higher School of Textile and Clothing Industries, and the Higher Institute of Commerce and Business Administration.

On this occasion, Mr Mezzour stressed that “the profound transformation of Moroccan industry is based on an unprecedented upgrading of our human capital.”

He continued: “By making technological excellence a priority, we are not merely strengthening the Kingdom’s attractiveness; we are laying the groundwork for a new generation of high-technology investments.”

This partnership with AXA Group, which perfectly illustrates this synergy, demonstrates Morocco’s capacity to meet global value-added requirements through innovation and mastery of advanced expertise, the minister added.

For his part, Mr El Midaoui noted that this agreement reflects the relevance and maturity of public-private partnership as a structuring lever for skills development, the promotion of innovation and the strengthening of the employability of Moroccan talent.

It embodies a shared vision of placing human capital at the heart of development, by reinforcing the alignment between the supply of skills and the real needs of the national and international economic fabric, in coherence with sectoral strategy priorities, he underlined.

For her part, Ms El Fallah Seghrouchni affirmed that the development of digital talent and Artificial Intelligence skills is a central pillar of the Kingdom’s digital transformation.

“Through this partnership with AXA Group, we are contributing to structuring a national ecosystem capable of anticipating technological shifts and positioning Morocco as a regional platform for technological professions,” she said.

Mr Caillat, for his part, indicated that Morocco has become for AXA Group “a true technological excellence hub,” noting that it is not merely a service centre, but a competence centre where solutions are developed and then deployed across the group worldwide.

According to him, this partnership demonstrates the group’s confidence in the potential of Moroccan youth.

A monitoring committee, composed of representatives of the signatory parties and the concerned institutions, will be responsible for steering, coordinating and evaluating the actions planned within the framework of this partnership.

This agreement marks a new step in strengthening bridges between training, innovation and economic needs, while consolidating support for young Moroccan talent in technological and digital professions.

Editorial team/le7tv