RABAT – Morocco is set to significantly bolster its digital infrastructure and national data security with the planned construction of a 500-megawatt (MW) data center, entirely powered by renewable energy. Announced by Digital Transition Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, this ambitious project will be situated in Dakhla, within Western Sahara, marking a strategic move to reinforce the kingdom's digital sovereignty. While specific timelines and cost estimations were not disclosed, the initiative underscores a growing global trend among nations to secure sensitive data within their own borders.

The decision to power the extensive facility solely with renewable energy sources aligns with Morocco's long-standing commitment to sustainable development and its leadership in clean energy initiatives across the African continent. This approach not only reduces the carbon footprint of critical digital infrastructure but also leverages Morocco's abundant solar and wind resources, enhancing energy independence for its burgeoning digital economy. The data center's substantial 500 MW capacity indicates a significant investment in scalable, high-performance computing capabilities designed to meet future demands.

This new development builds upon Morocco's foundational steps in digital infrastructure, including the operational launch of its first cloud hosting center at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in January. That facility has been providing secure cloud services to various local public and private organizations, establishing a precedent for national data management. Minister Seghrouchni emphasized that this network of data centers is pivotal for Morocco to assert its digital sovereignty and realize its ambition of becoming a premier digital hub for the entire African continent.

Morocco has earmarked an investment of 11 billion dirhams ($1.22 billion) for its comprehensive digital modernization strategy spanning 2024-2026. This substantial allocation will fund key areas including artificial intelligence development and the expansion of fiber optic networks, creating a robust ecosystem to support advanced digital services. The Dakhla data center, with its renewable energy foundation, is a cornerstone of this strategy, positioning Morocco at the forefront of Africa's digital transformation by offering secure, sustainable, and high-capacity data storage and processing solutions. This strategic investment is expected to attract further technology and renewable energy sector interest, fostering economic growth and innovation.