Morocco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with London-based Nexus Core Systems to build a $1.28 billion (12 billion MAD) AI data center powered by renewable energy. The agreement, one of the largest AI infrastructure commitments on the African continent, directly supports the country’s ambitious Digital 2030 strategy and positions it as a key hub for AI compute services in the region.
Quick Facts
- Total investment value of $1.28 billion.
- 36 megawatts of AI compute capacity by 2027.
- Project backed by Nvidia and South Korea’s Naver.
A Two-Phase AI Buildout
The deal was signed last week during GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech between Nexus Core Systems and three Moroccan government bodies: the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform (MTNRA), the Ministry of Investment, and the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE).
The project, branded the Nexus AI Factory Platform, will be constructed in two phases. Phase one involves a $550 million (5 billion MAD) investment to build a 16-megawatt hub in the Nouaceur region, creating 50 direct jobs. A second phase will add a further $750 million (7 billion MAD) and 20 megawatts of capacity at a northern site, bringing the total to 36 megawatts and 125 direct jobs by the end of 2027.
Morocco’s Sovereign AI Gambit
A key component of the facility is its sovereign cloud and AI architecture, ensuring data storage, processing, and management remain within Moroccan jurisdiction. This is a critical requirement for attracting European and African clients operating under strict data governance standards like GDPR.
The project leverages technology from AI giants Nvidia and South Korea’s Naver Corporation. Naver will collaborate with Nexus to operate the data center platform and deliver integrated AI services. The signing was attended by the US Ambassador to Morocco, H.E. Duke Buchan III, signaling the geopolitical importance of deploying American technology in the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure.
Plugging Into a National Strategy
This investment is a cornerstone of Morocco’s broader national ambitions. The “Digital 2030” strategy aims for the digital economy to contribute 5 percent of GDP, create 270,000 new jobs, and foster 3,000 startups.
More specifically, it aligns with the “AI Made in Morocco” strategy launched in January 2026, which targets a $10 billion contribution to GDP and the creation of 50,000 AI-related jobs by 2030. With direct submarine fiber-optic connections just 15 kilometers from Europe, the facility is strategically placed to serve compute demand from both Africa and Europe.
About Nexus Core Systems
Nexus Core Systems was founded in 2025 in partnership with Dubai-based investment firm Lloyds Capital. The company plans to develop AI factories optimized for high-demand workloads across multiple global locations. The Moroccan facility is its flagship deployment.
Source: Middle East AI News
