Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and placed under the aegis of the Ministry of Digital Transition, Gitex Africa was held from April 14 to 16 in Marrakech. In figures: 1,500 companies (including Orange, Atos, Inwi, Royal Air Maroc, Ericsson, etc.), 800 startups, 350 international investors and more than 50,000 visitors, a record. Among the most notable stands, that of HPS (Hightech Payment Systems) illustrates Moroccan technological know-how. This multinational, specializing in electronic payment solutions, defines itself as a provider of “invisible” technology, guaranteeing the security of banking transactions.
“We are moving towards a “no cash” society”supports Abdeslam Alaoui, its general director, JDNews. Used every day by hundreds of millions of people around the world and responsible for 7 billion transactions per year, HPS technology equips companies in France such as Thalès and Groupe BPCE.
Another very notable stand: that of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Nicknamed the “African Stanford”, the UM6P aims to be a laboratory of the future for Morocco. Its ultramodern campus in Ben Guerir bears witness to this futuristic vision, as does that of Rabat, where the crown prince studies. “We attract researchers, entrepreneurs and students from around the world to train a generation capable of providing local responses to global challenges”underlines Yassine Laghzioui, CEO of UM6P Ventures.
Technological emancipation of Africa
This year, Gitex Africa brought together a wide range of countries, including France. Around fifteen French companies, partly supported by the Grand Est Region, occupy the tricolor corner. Among them, Qwerio, a Microsoft partner, sees the show as a strategic opportunity. “We already have clients in Africa and want to go further with a local office to accelerate our development”slips Giulia Acha, purchasing manager.
Ootentik, a young start-up from Marseille founded by Cyril Ciavatti, occupies the neighboring stand and intends to declare war on counterfeiting thanks to an RFID chip: simply scan a product via their application to verify its authenticity in a few seconds. For the startup, which is in discussions with the clothing resale platform Vinted with a view to a partnership, Gitex opens up new perspectives: “We have received a lot of interest from Moroccan brands and investors”affirms its founder. In a country where counterfeiting is a scourge, the solution is attractive.
So, the momentum is there, as is the will and the potential. But in an ecosystem dominated by GAFAM and the great world powers, the technological emancipation of Africa remains a difficult conquest, on a continent where economic and social disparities remain profound.
