• Morocco drafts “Digital X.0” law to regulate AI, data, and identity
• Bill supports digital sovereignty, interoperability, and cybersecurity reforms
• Part of Maroc Digital 2030 strategy to boost AI and public service tech

Morocco is preparing to give its digital ecosystem a major legal overhaul with a new framework law known as “Digital X.0,” now under review by the General Secretariat of the Government. The draft, presented by Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into public and private operations while establishing strict governance for data and algorithms.

At the core of the bill are three priorities: data governance, digital identity, and interoperability. “Digital X.0” sets out principles for the flow and protection of data in line with Morocco’s existing personal data law (Law 09-08). It introduces a sector-specific digital identity that limits data access to what is strictly necessary for each area of activity and an interoperability model based on traceable consent, ensuring that any exchange of information between public agencies or private actors is explicitly authorized by users. Cybersecurity is a key element of the framework, designed to build digital trust without adding excessive layers of control.

The reform is part of Morocco’s national digital strategy, “Maroc Digital 2030,” which identifies artificial intelligence as a cornerstone of economic development and administrative modernization. The country has invested heavily in digital infrastructure, e-government services, and applied research in emerging technologies.

Recently, Morocco deepened this push through a strategic partnership with French startup Mistral AI to establish a lab focused on multilingual language models in Arabic, Amazigh, and African languages. The government has also launched a national program to train 200,000 young people in digital and AI skills to strengthen human capital and drive local innovation.

With “Digital X.0,” Morocco seeks to consolidate digital sovereignty, foster a competitive AI ecosystem, and promote responsible innovation. The law is expected to speed up the digital modernization of public administration and enhance the quality and efficiency of government services through advanced technologies.

Samira Njoya

• Q3 revenue rose to CFA875.7 billion ($1.6 billion), up 9.9% year-on-year
• EBITDAaL increased 7.8% to CFA305.3 billion
• Growth driven by mobile data, fiber, and expansion in Liberia and Burkina Faso

Orange Côte d’Ivoire Group reported revenue of CFA875.7 billion, about $1.6 billion, in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 9.9% increase compared with the same period in 2024, according to the company’s consolidated financial results released in October 2025.

“The company’s revenue performance is mainly supported by mobile data and fiber, driven by subscriber base expansion and increased digital usage,” the report stated.

The document also noted that Orange Liberia “continues its positive momentum, boosted by improved network quality and effective floor price implementation,” while Orange Burkina Faso’s growth was supported by sustained mobile service expansion, the rise of mobile money, and ongoing fiber network development.

Beyond revenue, other key indicators also improved. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization after lease costs (EBITDAaL) grew 7.8% to CFA305.3 billion in Q3 2025. Net profit reached CFA118.8 billion, compared with CFA118.6 billion a year earlier.

• Draft law would require major platforms to open local offices and store data
• Firms must remove illegal content within 24 hours or face sanctions
• Plan aims to protect youth, uphold social values, and ensure digital sovereignty

Algeria’s government, through the National People’s Assembly (APN), is reviewing a draft law to impose strict regulation on major digital platforms. Introduced by lawmaker Bouhali Abdelbasset, the proposal targets services such as TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, placing them under direct legal supervision within Algeria.

The bill requires large platforms — those with more than one million users or above a certain revenue threshold — to establish a local office, appoint a legal representative, and store user data within the country or in certified centers. They would also be required to remove illegal content within 24 hours of notification and submit biannual compliance reports.

The initiative focuses on three main goals: preserving religious and social values, protecting children and adolescents from harmful content, and strengthening Algeria’s digital sovereignty. It also calls for the creation of a National Authority for Digital Space Regulation, attached to the Presidency, empowered to impose fines, block services, or initiate legal proceedings for violations.

The proposal comes as Algeria’s online presence expands rapidly. As of early 2025, the country counted 36.2 million internet users, representing a penetration rate of 76.9%. This surge has fueled the growth of social networks and influencers, along with rising concerns over extremist or socially inappropriate content.

If adopted, the law would significantly reshape Algeria’s digital landscape by holding major international platforms accountable, enhancing data protection and traceability, and promoting the emergence of locally adapted digital solutions.

• The 2026–2030 strategy aims to build an inclusive and competitive e-commerce sector.

• It targets women, youth, and small traders through digital integration and job creation.

• Implementation faces challenges including low Internet access and financial inclusion.

The Mauritanian government, through the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Innovation and Administrative Modernization and with support from German cooperation agency GIZ, officially approved its National E-commerce Strategy 2026–2030 on Tuesday, October 28. The plan marks a key milestone toward developing a more inclusive, sustainable, and competitive digital economy.

The roadmap seeks to improve access for women entrepreneurs to online markets, create jobs for young people through freelancing and digital platforms, integrate small traders into the formal economy via digitization, and enhance government tax revenues through better transaction traceability. These goals are built on an emerging market where Internet penetration reached 37.4% in 2025.

The strategy comes amid a period of rapid digital transformation, with Africa’s e-commerce market expected to grow by 105% by 2030—from $55 billion to $112.73 billion—according to TechCabal Insights. Mauritania aims to leverage this momentum to strengthen its competitiveness and position its economy within regional digital value chains.

Success will depend on the country’s ability to overcome key structural challenges, including uneven mobile and Internet coverage, reliance on cash payments, and low banking penetration. According to UNCTAD, financial inclusion in Mauritania remains limited to 20.9%, with notable disparities between women (15.5%) and youth (13.1%).

The strategy aims to create a favorable environment for the growth of national e-commerce by promoting digital inclusion, expanding access to online platforms for marginalized economic actors, improving financial transparency, and increasing public revenues through formalized trade. Ultimately, it seeks to build a structured and competitive e-commerce ecosystem capable of supporting sustainable growth.