A recent report by Insider Monkey has named Morocco the most technologically advanced country in Africa, based on a study of data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which rates African countries based on several key indicators such as information and communication technologies (ICT), knowledge and technology production, scientific and technical articles, and high-tech production.
Insider Monkey stated that with an overall score of 208, Morocco was the first African country to adopt 3G technology, and is currently preparing for the transition to 5G, which has yet to be introduced.
In recent years, Morocco has made significant investments to improve Internet access and digital infrastructure. In 2021, the Kingdom ranked second in “digital transformation” in Africa.
Morocco has also achieved positive results in several areas, such as e-commerce legislation, the export of information and communication technology (ICT) services, and the production of high and medium-level technologies, as highlighted in a Portland Institute report published in November 2022.
Despite these advances, Morocco still faces challenges in the financial sector. According to a report published in 2022 by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Endeavour, 98% of transactions in the Kingdom are still carried out in cash, which indicates resistance to the transition to electronic payment methods.
Morocco must further invest in the development of the financial sector and promote the adoption of financial technologies to stimulate economic growth and facilitate transactions, building on its technological achievements to meet this challenge.
Improving the digital infrastructure and boosting confidence in financial technologies can encourage citizens to adopt electronic payments. Awareness-raising and training campaigns on the benefits and security of electronic transactions can also help change mindsets and foster an effective transition to a digital financial system.