Oracle is planning to open two new data centres in Morocco, which are expected to boost one of North Africa's fastest-growing IT ecosystems and add to the influx of investments into the Mena technology scene.
The projects are to be built in the capital Casablanca and the southern city of Settat, and would bring the number of Oracle's global cloud regions to 72, the Texas-based company said on Thursday.
They will offer dedicated, hybrid, public and multi-cloud services, targeting enterprises, start-ups, universities, investors and government services.
Oracle did not disclose the investment value or projected opening dates for the new centres.
The cloud regions will support digital transformation in Morocco and across North Africa, and would also extend to West Africa, the Maghreb and Europe through “strong business connections”, Richard Smith, executive vice president for technology in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Oracle, said.
“As one of the largest economies in Africa … Morocco offers unique growth opportunities for businesses that are aiming to accelerate their expansion by deploying the latest digital technologies,” he said.
“The new regions will also serve as the foundation for the Moroccan government’s modernisation of its public services to better serve its people.”
The adoption of cloud services has continued to grow in the Middle East amid the rise of technology-savvy young consumers and an evolving digital landscape, underpinned by government efforts to develop the future economy.
This has given global cloud providers an incentive to tap into the potential being offered by the region.
Including the latest announcements in Morocco, Oracle's Middle East and North Africa cloud regions have increased to eight. it currently has four live cloud regions in Mena, one each in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jeddah and Johannesburg, with two more planned in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia's coming high-tech city Neom. Another planned cloud region in Kenya was announced in January.
Global companies including Microsoft, Amazon, IBM and Alibaba Cloud have also all opened cloud and data centres in the region.
Worldwide revenue for the public cloud services market rose more than 19 per cent annually to about $315.5 billion in the first half of last year, the latest data from the International Data Corporation shows.
The technology sector in Morocco, meanwhile, is one of Africa's fastest-growing and is emerging as a vital component of its economy. Digital technologies offer new job opportunities for the more than 22 million Africans joining the workforce annually, according to the World Bank.
Morocco is also hosting Gitex Africa, one of the region's biggest technology conferences, this week, as it seeks to grow the growth of the industry across the continent.
Overall, Morocco’s economy strengthened last year on recovery in domestic demand and exports, with real gross domestic growth expected at 3.1 per cent this year, picking up to about 3.5 per cent over the medium term, boosted by stronger investment, according to the International Monetary Fund.
“Oracle's strategic investment marks a significant milestone in North Africa’s digital transformation journey,” Jyoti Lalchandani, regional managing director for the Middle East, Turkey, Africa and India at the IDC, told The National.
The move is “poised to empower businesses and governments with enhanced technological capabilities, fostering innovation, efficiency and economic growth”, he said.
Earlier this month, Oracle had also said that it was increasing its workforce in Morocco to 1,000, part of a co-operation agreement signed between Oracle chief executive Safra Catz and Ghita Mezzour, Morocco's minister in charge of digital transition and administration reform.
Oracle's new cloud regions would also help position Morocco to accelerate the development of skills and growth opportunities, Ms Mezzour said.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
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Dubai World Cup draw
1. Gunnevera
2. Capezzano
3. North America
4. Audible
5. Seeking The Soul
6. Pavel
7. Gronkowski
8. Axelrod
9. New Trails
10. Yoshida
11. K T Brave
12. Thunder Snow
13. Dolkong
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
