Understanding the Digital Transformation in Morocco
As Morocco aspires to secure a significant position in the realm of emerging nations, the issue of digital transformation emerges as one of the most critical and sensitive topics. While international institutions, including the World Bank, recognize that the Kingdom possesses the necessary competencies and technical capabilities, the persistent "achievement complex" and the accompanying indecision continue to hinder the Moroccan administration, which is caught between two eras. Current data suggests that Morocco operates with two types of management: a traditional administration that remains loyal to paper and complex procedures, and an emerging digital administration striving to carve its path. This hybrid situation leaves citizens and investors suspended between two worlds, a predicament that His Majesty the King previously described as "Morocco moving at two speeds." In this fast-paced development era, international competition for attracting investments emphasizes the "digitalization index" as a fundamental criterion for a conducive business environment.
In countries like Rwanda, it is possible to establish a company in just one hour, and payments for transportation are made exclusively through electronic cards. Despite the challenges of poverty and illiteracy, a strong political will has decisively eliminated indecision and transformed digitalization into a tangible reality. The root cause of the digitalization challenges in Morocco lies in governmental hesitation. While countries like Estonia have fully digitized all their transactions and adopted a "digital identity" allowing citizens to buy, sell, and vote even while abroad, Morocco still struggles to include its citizens living abroad in the electoral process through digital means, raising questions about the validity of delays given the existing competencies.
The Importance of Digital Trust and Cultural Shift
Amid this uncertainty, national "beacons of hope" emerge that inspire optimism. The experience of the National Land Registry (ANCFCC), which has adopted electronic ownership certificates exclusively, stands out as a successful model. The secret here lies not only in technology but also in the "small details"—such as training security guards to assist users who struggle with digital platforms. This simple example carries immense significance; it demonstrates that digital transformation is not merely about "codes and software" but involves a cultural shift and attention to the minutiae that ensure services reach the average citizen, much like global executives who seek success in the finest details of their institutions.
The ambitious project "Digital Morocco 2030" faces a cultural challenge characterized by a "lack of trust." The average Moroccan citizen, with their traditional mindset, only feels secure when they can physically handle paperwork, preferring to see cash rather than mere numbers in a bank account. Herein lies the role of civil society, which must take responsibility for building "digital trust." The task of associations and organizations extends beyond traditional frameworks to contribute to instilling digital culture, explaining its benefits, and assisting the government in overcoming the "resistances" exhibited by forces benefiting from the persistence of traditional administration.
In conclusion, the fear remains that the 2030 project may remain trapped in "structural potholes" and governmental indecision. Digital transformation inevitably requires a "change in mindsets" before altering systems. Without decisive and sudden decisions to eliminate paper reliance, Morocco will continue to spiral in the cycle of "indecision," allowing stagnation forces to dominate the Kingdom's development timeline.
As reported by youtube.com.
