First Nokia innovation center in Africa, Middle East inaugurated in Sale

Morocco’s Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administration Reform Ghita Mezzour inaugurated the first Nokia innovation center in Africa and the Middle East, in Salé on Tuesday.

Inaugurated before Finnish ambassador to Morocco Marjaana Sall and US ambassador to the Kingdom Puneet Talwar, as well as other public and private sector players, this innovation center is equipped with advanced technologies spanning over fixed, IP and optical networks from Nokia’s entire portfolio of network infrastructure, a Ministry press release said, noting that this infrastructure has been tested and developed by Moroccan competences and engineers, before being exported to markets in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa).

The center plays a key role in developing digital skills, supporting 5G readiness and stimulating innovation throughout the EMEA region.

It also strengthens Nokia’s presence in Morocco’s ICT ecosystem by supporting scholarship programs and offering hands-on training to engineering schools and universities, in addition to certifications for some 500 students over the next three years.

On this occasion, Mezzour noted that “the launching of the Nokia Innovation Center in Morocco reflects our country’s ability to attract leading technology companies and encourage innovation on the African continent, drawing primarily on the skills and experience of Moroccan engineers in this field”, noting that this center will bolster “our position as a regional hub for digital services across the EMEA region”.

The Kingdom’s various initiatives in the field of digitalization are an embodiment of the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI, who called for developping technical infrastructure capable of accompanying the digital sector’s rapid growth.

During the inauguration ceremony, Mezzour was briefed about recent Nokia innovations specially designed for major sporting events, with a particular focus on football.