6ᵉ Rencontre Annuelle de la Femme Ingénieur / 6th Annual Women Engineers Meeting – Toward a Sovereign and Inclusive Digital Morocco

Digital Morocco 2030: Highlights from the 6th Annual Women Engineers Meeting at Four Seasons Casablanca

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca became the center stage of Morocco’s digital future as it hosted the 6th Annual Women Engineers Meeting, organized by CFIE-AIEM (Centre Féminin d’Ingénierie et d’Entrepreneuriat – Association of Engineers of École Mohammadia). This year’s event was held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, a mark of national recognition for the importance of digital transformation and inclusive leadership.

A Platform for Inclusive, Strategic Dialogue

Held under the theme:
“Strategic Perspectives and Roadmaps for a Digital Morocco by 2030”,
the meeting brought together top executives, policy leaders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to collectively reflect on Morocco’s sovereign and inclusive digital ambitions.

Far from being a women-only event, it served as an open platform for all genders to collaborate, ideate, and contribute to Morocco’s digital roadmap, across both public and private sectors.

High-Level Speakers and Visionary Panels

Two major panels structured the day’s discussions:

🔹 Panel 1: Strategic Perspectives for a Digital Morocco in 2030

Moderated by leaders in public policy and digital innovation, this session welcomed:

• Dr. Leila Benali – Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development

• Khalid Safir – Director General, CDG

• Abdellatif Zaghnoun – Director General, National Agency for the Strategic Management of State Holdings

• Omar Seghrouchni – President, CNDP (Data Protection Commission)

• Samira Gourroum – Deputy Director General, CMI (Centre Monétique Interbancaire)

• Youssef Zahayer – Director of Engineering & Development, Al Omrane

• Lamiae Benmakhlouf – Director General, Technopark Morocco

• Ahouzi Youssef – Director General, PortNet

This panel focused on digital sovereignty, infrastructure, data ethics, and long-term innovation frameworks that could position Morocco as a leader in digital governance and smart services.

🔹 Panel 2: Operational Models for Digital Transition

This panel took a more hands-on approach, asking:
“What operational model should be adopted for a better digital transition?”

It featured influential executives and practitioners including:

• Fatima Zohra El Ouerkhaoui – CIO, ONCF

• Hicham Iraqi Houssaini – CEO, SAP Francophone Africa

• Samia El Hanchi, Hayat Elkird, Zakaria BOUCHFAR, Zouheir LAKHDISSI, and more

They shared real-world case studies and explored how to align technology with organizational agility, human capital, and scalable innovation.

Aya the Robot, Symbol of a Digital Future

In a memorable opening, the event was launched by Aya, the humanoid robot — an innovative gesture that symbolized Morocco’s readiness to embrace cutting-edge technology. Aya’s greeting served as a bridge between tradition and future-forward transformation.

Leadership in Action

The event was presided over by Mme Nawal Gharmili Sefrioui, President of AIEM, and coordinated with the tireless dedication of Mme Hayat Elkird, Secretary General of CFIE. Their leadership ensured a diverse and impactful agenda that elevated both technical discussion and social engagement.

Other prominent voices included:

• Houda Nouara

• Ilham Haraoui Fekkak

• Soundous Hamdani

• Lamia Mouhssine

• Nadia Chahor

• Habiba BABLAL, MBA

• Khadija Ihsane

• Fatine Ziane

Their collective presence reinforced the growing influence of Moroccan women in engineering, strategy, and technology.

CMI’s Strategic Participation

The Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI) reaffirmed its role in shaping the country’s fintech and payment infrastructure. Represented by Mme Samira Gourroum, the CMI joined the conversation on strategic policy and sovereign infrastructure — emphasizing interoperability, cybersecurity, and financial inclusion.

“CMI is proud to stand beside national decision-makers to build Morocco’s digital future,” the institution declared on LinkedIn.

A Meeting Marked by Royal Endorsement

The High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI gave the event additional resonance, underlining the national priority of digital transformation and the elevation of engineering leadership — especially among women.