Oracle Opens Its Second R&D Center in Agadir, Morocco

The ceremony was held in the presence of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, delegate minister for Digital Transition Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, delegate minister for Investment Karim Zidane, as well as Simon de Montfort Walker, executive vice‑president of Industry Applications at Oracle.

Oracle’s arrival in Agadir reflects a two‑fold movement: the publisher’s growing footprint in Morocco and a clear intent to move beyond the sole Casablanca metropolis. The group now operates an Oracle Cloud region in Casablanca, a second region announced for Settat, and two R&D hubs—one in Casablanca and another in Agadir. Oracle positions itself as the only major cloud provider in Morocco to combine sovereign infrastructure, advanced research, artificial‑intelligence innovation and investment in local talent, a stance it leverages to support Morocco’s ambition to become a regional AI hub.

The Agadir centre will focus on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, AI‑enhanced applications, data platforms and industry solutions. Equipped with collaborative spaces, development environments and innovation labs, it is intended to drive research, experimentation and product development for the group’s cloud and AI portfolio, while opening opportunities for Moroccan engineers, developers and researchers. By linking the Casablanca and Agadir operations, Oracle aims to build an innovation network spread across several cities, broadening access to talent and consolidating the country as a technology destination for Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

The project aligns with the government’s “AI Made in Morocco” roadmap, which sees these installations as proof of the country’s regions’ attractiveness for high‑value‑added tech investment. For Aziz Akhannouch, choosing Agadir reinforces Morocco’s recognition as a “credible, competitive and attractive platform” for R&D and advanced technologies, backed by a talent pool and strong academic institutions. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni views it as a signal of the Kingdom’s ability to capture strategic investments and position itself as a digital hub linking Africa, Europe and the Middle East, while Karim Zidane stresses the territorial dimension of decentralising innovation beyond Casablanca.

From Oracle’s side, Simon de Montfort Walker ties the Agadir opening to the group’s “confidence” in Moroccan talent and an expanding innovation ecosystem, after what he describes as the successful launch of the Casablanca centre. The announcement, released without public figures on staff numbers or investment amount, serves primarily as a strategic milestone: a cloud player that places Morocco—and now several of its cities—on the global map of its research activities.

Source: ledesk