RABAT — In a comprehensive update highlighting Morocco's strategic momentum in November 2026, The Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Abdellatif Miraoui, and the President of the Italian Med-Or Leonardo Foundation, Marco Minniti, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a special ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Morocco, Armando Barucco.
Key Highlights (November 2026)
- Strategic Milestone: Accelerated investments in seawater desalination and national water inter-basin transfers mitigate climate pressure across Moroccan regions.
- Operational Progress: Morocco’s clean energy capacity continues its trajectory toward surpassing 52% of national electricity generation from renewables.
- National Trajectory: Strategic green hydrogen initiatives and solar mega-complexes attract prominent international industrial consortiums.
Key Developments and Factual Context
This memorandum plays a major role in the implementation of Morocco’s National Plan for Accelerating the Transformation of the Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation Ecosystem (PACTE ESRI 2030), which will pave the way for fruitful cooperation between the two nations in several key areas.
One of the key objectives of this memorandum is to offer Moroccan students the opportunity to benefit from training programs offered by companies affiliated to the Leonardo Group, which will enable students to improve their skills and gain more professional experience.
Strategic Significance and Regional Impact
In addition, the memorandum provides for the development of scholarship funding programs for Moroccan students and researchers in fields linked to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, coding, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in order to encourage research and innovation in these vital sectors.
The Memorandum of Understanding also aims to strengthen cooperation between Moroccan and Italian universities through exchanges of experts and expertise and the joint holding of scientific conferences and seminars, thus contributing to knowledge expansion and the promotion of academic research.
On the occasion of the signing ceremony, Minister Miraoui emphasized the importance of the solid historic relations uniting Morocco and Italy, noting that this memorandum marks a further milestone in the strengthening of bilateral relations.
Looking Forward: 2026–2030 Roadmap
Looking ahead toward the close of 2026 and the 2027 calendar year, institutional roadmaps will prioritize consolidated delivery across all flagship initiatives. As Morocco accelerates preparations for major international hosting duties—most notably the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal—every sector is aligning toward shared standards of excellence, digital modernization, and inclusive socio-economic impact.