Morocco Launches Ramadan AI Hackathon

The "Ramadan IA Hackathon" is a key component of Morocco's broader national strategy, "AI Made in Morocco," which aims to establish the country as a regional leader in artificial intelligence by 2030. This initiative is spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, led by Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, to stimulate innovation and mobilize local talent. The national AI strategy targets a $10 billion contribution to GDP, the creation of 50,000 AI-related jobs, and the training of 200,000 graduates in AI skills by 2030. The hackathon directly supports this by encouraging students, entrepreneurs, and professionals to develop practical AI solutions for local challenges. Rather than a single event, the hackathon is being deployed sequentially across all twelve regions of the Kingdom throughout Ramadan. This approach is designed to promote "spatial justice" in the digital realm, ensuring all regions can adapt and benefit from AI based on their specific local needs and economic characteristics. Participants are tasked with creating AI-driven prototypes that address specific regional economic, social, and environmental issues within 72 hours. Projects have spanned sectors like tourism, water management, sustainable agriculture, and financial inclusion. The first phase of the hackathon, held in the southern provinces, produced tangible solutions. Winning projects included "TalibWay," an AI-powered academic orientation platform; "Bahriya," a tool for recommending optimal biological rest periods for sustainable fishing; and "Solar," a system to optimize the output of solar installations. The initiative emphasizes moving beyond ideas to real-world application. The digital ministry provides mentorship and implementation support, with high-potential projects getting the chance to be showcased at major international tech events like GITEX Africa.