Morocco has announced plans to build a 500-megawatt data centre powered entirely by renewable energy in Dakhla, a city in the disputed Western Sahara region, as part of a broader push to enhance data security and digital sovereignty.

The initiative was revealed by Digital Transition and Administration Reform Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni in an interview with Reuters. While she did not disclose the project’s estimated cost or completion timeline, she described it as a key step in Morocco’s ambitions to become a regional digital hub for Africa.

“This network of data centres not only asserts the kingdom’s digital sovereignty but also its ambition to serve as a digital gateway for the continent,” Seghrouchni said.

The upcoming facility will be Morocco’s second major data centre. The first, located at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, began operations in January 2025 and currently provides cloud hosting services to local public and private entities.

Governments across the globe are increasingly building localised data infrastructure to ensure that sensitive information is stored and processed within national borders, particularly in an era marked by growing cybersecurity threats and stricter data regulations.

These centres are typically owned or operated by state-affiliated or private firms, but always remain under the legal jurisdiction of the host country.

Morocco is backing this strategy with 11 billion dirhams ($1.22 billion) in digital modernisation investments over 2024–2026. The funding will support advancements in artificial intelligence, expansion of fibre optic infrastructure, and further development of cloud services.

The Dakhla project aligns with Morocco’s broader goals of integrating sustainable energy into its tech infrastructure while cementing its position as a leader in Africa’s evolving digital landscape.