Maroc Telecom and European Commission Open Strategic Dialogue on Digital Sovereignty
The engagement is seen as part of broader efforts to build resilient and secure digital ecosystems that support long-term economic development and reinforce strategic cooperation between Europe and Africa in the digital era.
Maroc Telecom and the European Commission have initiated high-level discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation on digital sovereignty, infrastructure security, and the future of cross-continental connectivity between Europe and Africa.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of GITEX Africa 2026, brought together Maroc Telecom CEO Mohamed Benchaaboun and Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy.
Talks focused on key areas including the protection of critical digital infrastructure from cyber threats, the development of stronger frameworks for data governance, and the implications of the European Union’s recently introduced Digital Network Act (DNA), which seeks to harmonize digital regulations and support secure cross-border digital investment.
Both parties also explored opportunities for sustainable digital growth, with an emphasis on expanding next-generation connectivity such as fibre networks, 5G deployment, cloud infrastructure, and enhanced cybersecurity systems across both regions.
Mohamed Benchaaboun underscored the importance of digital sovereignty, noting that for a major operator like Maroc Telecom, it represents an operational priority grounded in securing networks and managing data flows that serve millions of users across Morocco and Africa.
The discussions further highlighted growing convergence between European and African digital priorities, particularly in advancing Morocco’s Digital 2030 strategy, which aims to modernize public services and accelerate nationwide digital transformation.
The engagement is seen as part of broader efforts to build resilient and secure digital ecosystems that support long-term economic development and reinforce strategic cooperation between Europe and Africa in the digital era.
