Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Souhail AMRABI
Published on 2024-04-18 15:23:00
Naoris is celebrating today (Thursday) the launch of its activities in Morocco. Why did you choose the Kingdom as the first step for expansion in Africa?
The choice of the Kingdom as the first step in our expansion in Africa was influenced by a combination of personal relationships and strategic vision. The fact that I myself am Moroccan certainly played a role as well. The decision became clear after my return to Morocco and after listening to His Majesty the King’s speech on the country’s ambitions in terms of digital sovereignty and regional leadership. These goals align with Naoris’ orientations. Morocco is therefore an ideal place for our Group to not only thrive as a business but also contribute significantly to the country’s digital ambitions.
Naturally, you conducted market research before making this decision. Is the Moroccan market, particularly the economic fabric, in demand for cybersecurity and blockchain services?
Yes, we conducted a thorough market study before deciding to enter the Moroccan market. It must be acknowledged that Morocco can be a challenging market to penetrate. However, our decision was largely motivated by a sense of patriotism. I believed that Naoris technology could greatly benefit my country. This conviction motivated me to double our efforts to ensure our success in providing cybersecurity and blockchain services, which are increasingly in demand by Moroccan companies.
Nevertheless, gaining market share would be difficult, given that several groups have been established in Morocco for years…
Indeed, gaining market share in Morocco is a challenge, given the presence of established players who have been there for many years. However, many of these groups focus mainly on financial gains, offering generic “off-the-shelf products” that often provide limited solutions. In contrast, Naoris differentiates itself by being a “boutique company.” Despite our relatively small size (around 100 people worldwide), we have expertise comparable, if not superior, to that of larger companies. Our mission extends beyond mere profit; our goal is to have a positive impact on the world and truly help solve problems. This commitment to value-added solutions and real impact helps us stand out in the Moroccan market.
AI is also one of the prominent activities of your group. What are your prospects for integrating this tool into the daily operations of Moroccan companies?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is indeed a major priority for our company, and it is a topic that currently generates a lot of enthusiasm. However, AI also presents significant risks. At Naoris, our goal is not just to integrate AI into daily tasks for convenience, but also to focus on leveraging a specific type of AI – swarm artificial intelligence – to improve cybersecurity. Our mission with this technology is to effectively combat cybercrime and contribute to making Morocco a safer country. This strategic application of AI aligns with our broader goals of providing meaningful and impactful solutions rather than just adopting technology for its own sake.
Legislatively, what are the points or provisions that Morocco should adopt to ensure rapid development of AI?
It is crucial for Morocco to implement regulations and monitoring systems to responsibly manage the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI). If left unchecked, AI can have serious consequences. A major concern in the AI industry is the quality and transparency of the data used to train algorithms. Currently, information on the origin and integrity of this data is often insufficient. By establishing clear standards and regulations regarding data quality and algorithmic transparency, Morocco can ensure a safer and more effective integration of AI technologies. This would not only protect users but also build trust and accelerate sustainable development of AI.
Job creation, investments, upcoming projects… What is the roadmap for the coming years?
In terms of job creation, our goal is to foster trust and reliability in digital environments that often lack clear guarantees. When it comes to investments, we prioritize education and awareness to ensure an informed user base and a workforce capable of navigating the complexities of modern technologies. As for our short-term projects, we are committed to using Naoris technologies to significantly contribute to the improvement of Morocco’s digital ecosystem, making it safer and more resilient. This approach not only supports our immediate goals but also establishes a solid foundation for sustainable growth and development in the region.
Interview by Souhail AMRABI
Read the original article(French) on L’Opinion
