Morocco, UNDP unveil Digital for Sustainable Development Hub in Rabat
Initiative aims to boost digital transformation across Arab and African nations through inclusive infrastructure and AI cooperation
RABAT, Morocco (MNTV) — Morocco, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched the Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) Hub to support Arab and African countries in leveraging digital public infrastructure (DPI) for advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The new hub, based in Rabat, was formally announced on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. It will serve as a regional platform to promote digital innovation, strengthen governance, and bridge capacity gaps in technology-driven development.
According to the UNDP, both Africa and the Arab States region face persistent challenges in digital transformation, including weak policy alignment, fragmented systems, limited digital skills, and high operational costs.
The D4SD Hub is designed to address these barriers while fostering collaboration through a proposed AI and Data Science Alliance for Arab and African nations.
Representatives from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society took part in discussions during the launch, focusing on establishing the alliance and defining its governance framework.
“Digital transformation is a cornerstone of UNDP’s newly adopted 2026–2029 Strategic Plan—an essential accelerator of systemic change across all areas of development,” said UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu. “Through the D4SD Hub, Morocco and UNDP are building a platform for countries to co-design, test, and scale digital solutions that ensure transparency, equity, and trust.”
The initiative is backed by a $38 million investment over three years, including $8 million in funding from Morocco’s government and $1 million from the UNDP. The remainder will come from multilateral and private partners.
Morocco’s broader digital strategy includes the rollout of a national digital identity platform developed by Idemia Smart Identity in collaboration with IN Group.
The system, which features a mobile app and online portal managed by iDAKTO, was fast-tracked following a wave of cyberattacks targeting public institutions earlier this year.
Officials say the D4SD Hub marks a major step in Morocco’s ambition to position itself as a regional leader in inclusive and secure digital transformation.
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