King Mohammed VI has appointed Ahmed Rahhou to lead Morocco’s new Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Administration Reform, replacing Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, in the government headed by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri. The move positions Morocco as a pioneer in establishing a government ministry with AI explicitly included in its official title.
Rahhou, a graduate of the École Polytechnique and a former ambassador to the European Union, steps down from the Competition Council to take the post. He earlier led CIH Bank, where he made digital the core of its turnaround. He is joining the executive branch for the first time, after more than five years at the head of the Competition Council. Aïcha Guellaa will assist him as minister delegate in charge of administrative reform.
The new ministry takes on Morocco’s existing digital agenda, including the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy and the Morocco AI 2030 roadmap, which aims to contribute MAD 100 billion (USD 10 billion) in additional gross domestic product by 2030. The strategy also targets the creation of 50,000 direct and indirect jobs and the training and certification of 200,000 AI specialists.
The roadmap focuses on developing domestic technological capabilities, expanding digital infrastructure, supporting innovation, and integrating AI across public administration and industry. Digital sovereignty is a central priority, with Morocco seeking greater control over the data, computing resources, and infrastructure needed to develop and operate AI systems.
Initiatives include expanding the national network of JAZARI Institutes, which support AI research and innovation, and developing a sovereign AI marketplace to provide access to secure AI solutions while protecting data and strengthening national control over digital assets. The government is also developing Idarati AI, an AI-powered assistant designed to help citizens navigate administrative procedures.
