Experts and officials from across Morocco and the globe convened in Casablanca for the 10th edition of the Casablanca Smart City summit, shifting the conversation on urban development from pure technology to a human-centric model driven by entrepreneurship and innovation. The event, themed “Entrepreneurship and Urban Creativity,” underscored a consensus that successful modern cities are built on their ability to attract talent, nurture startups, and foster deep collaboration between universities, research centers, and the private sector.
Quick Facts
- 10th edition of the international summit.
- Focus on human capital over digital infrastructure.
- Showcased innovation models from Singapore to Dakar.
Morocco’s Strategic Bet on Startups
Morocco has placed entrepreneurship at the center of its national strategy for innovation and digital transformation. Lamia Benmakhlouf, Director General of Technopark Morocco, highlighted the organization’s role in building an integrated ecosystem that connects startups with funding, research, and public and private partners.
Benmakhlouf noted that this support system is yielding tangible results, stating that a significant number of resident startups are now successfully accessing international markets and exporting their digital services.
Learning From Global Hubs
The summit drew on international experience to frame Morocco’s ambitions. Mark Leo of Singapore Cooperation Enterprise presented the Punggol Digital District as a leading model for integrating education, innovation, and investment in a single, cohesive space. He emphasized that the model’s success depends on data flow, strong university-startup partnerships, and continuous investment in digital skills.
From Europe, Isabelle Ferrier, Deputy Mayor of Toulouse, France, shared her city’s approach of developing specialized hubs for strategic sectors like aviation, health, AI, and cybersecurity. These hubs act as integration points for scientific research, large corporations, and startups, supported by programs for students and innovators.
Driving Social and Economic Impact
Imane Belmaati, President of Human Impact Hub, argued that smart cities must evolve into real platforms for economic and social opportunity, particularly for young people.
She called for greater integration between public policy and private initiatives, alongside the development of more flexible financing mechanisms tailored to projects with high social and economic impact.
Pan-African Innovation on Display
Highlighting practical African solutions, Abraham Badji, a councilor from Dakar, Senegal, presented “Set Wash,” a digital project designed to organize the local car wash industry and integrate it into the formal economy.
Badji explained that the project delivers measurable results by optimizing water consumption, creating jobs, and integrating youth into the structured economic cycle.
A Culture of Experimentation
Echoing the summit’s core theme, Hamid Boukhikhi, Director of Africa Business School, called for a new urban approach focused on creating environments that stimulate innovation.
He stressed that modern cities need to embed a culture of experimentation, remain open to emerging ideas, and promote interaction among all ecosystem players to sustain entrepreneurial momentum.
About Casablanca Smart City
Casablanca Smart City is an annual international event held under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. It serves as a key platform for exchanging insights on the challenges of digital transformation and the role of technology in improving public services and urban governance. The event reinforces Casablanca’s position as a leading African hub for urban intelligence and innovation.
Source: Twasl News
