Speaking during a meeting on “The experience of the commune of Berkane in terms of digitalization”, organized at the Moroccan pavilion, the president of the municipal council of Berkane, Mohamed Ibrahimi, affirmed that in the digital age , it is essential that local authorities evolve towards smart cities, taking advantage of technology to respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of citizens.
To this end, the municipality of Berkane has launched an ambitious digitalization program, in collaboration with the prefecture of the province of Berkane and in partnership with the local development company “Majal Berkane”. The goal is to provide this municipality with a digital system to modernize services and facilitate access to all citizens, he observed.
He added, during the session on the theme “Moroccan cities in the era of digitalization”, that an organizational structure has been put in place, in accordance with the digital transformations of the administration proposed by the municipality.
Digital solutions have also been established for the management of services provided to citizens, as well as for the establishment of an open municipal administration, in interaction with citizens, offering innovative local services, he underlined.
Mr. Ibrahimi specified that at the level of administrative services, the commune of Berkane is one of the first Moroccan local authorities to implement digital applications and platforms initiated by the Ministry of the Interior, whether they are those intended for services to citizens or those governing the municipality’s relations with other administrations.
Thus, digital platforms have been implemented, notably the electronic portal and the National Geographic Information System (SNIG), he continued.
The president of the municipal council underlined, in this regard, that the city of Berkane is one of the pioneer cities, at the national, regional and international levels, in the organization of the work of the Digital Society Forum, which celebrated this year its fourth edition under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, recalling the inauguration of the National Higher School of Artificial Intelligence and Digital, under the Mohammed I University of Oujda having opened its doors to students Moroccans and foreigners for the 2024/2025 academic year.
For his part, the vice-president of the council of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, Noureddine Zoubdi, indicated that addressing the notion of a smart city in Morocco involves defining new urban functions, based on a vision and strategic objectives, taking into account economic, social and cultural transformations, as well as the dynamics of the societal system and its interactions, both internal and external.
He considered that experience has demonstrated that digital transformation is an urgent necessity to modernize services, optimize the performance of local authorities and strengthen trust between citizens and the administration, highlighting the commitment of local authorities to continue the digitalization process and realize the vision of a modern Moroccan city, offering services adapted to the digital age and meeting the expectations of citizens.
Morocco is represented at this event by a delegation made up of representatives of several ministerial departments, public establishments, elected bodies and professional organizations, in particular the ministries of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and Urban Policy, Interior, Economy and Finance, the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, the Al Omrane Group and urban agencies.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Mohamed Ibrahimi, President of the Municipal Council of Berkane
Editor: Good afternoon, Mr. Ibrahimi. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the exciting digitalization initiatives taking place in Berkane. To start off, can you share with us what inspired the municipality to embark on this digital transformation journey?
Ibrahimi: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The inspiration behind our digital transformation stems from the need to evolve in the digital age. As local authorities, we realized that embracing smart city concepts would enable us to respond more effectively to the needs of our citizens. We wanted to modernize our services, streamline access, and create a more interactive relationship with our community.
Editor: That’s an insightful vision. You mentioned the collaboration with the prefecture and the local development company “Majal Berkane” in launching this ambitious digitalization program. How has this partnership been structured, and what are its key objectives?
Ibrahimi: Our partnership is built on a shared commitment to enhance the quality of life in Berkane through technology. The key objectives include providing a comprehensive digital system that modernizes our services, enhances citizen engagement, and ensures transparent communication. By coordinating efforts with the prefecture and Majal Berkane, we ensure a holistic approach to meet the diverse needs of our citizens.
Editor: It sounds like a very well-coordinated effort. Could you elaborate on the specific digital solutions that have been implemented to enhance administrative services in Berkane?
Ibrahimi: Certainly! One of the major milestones was the launch of digital platforms, including our electronic portal and the National Geographic Information System (SNIG). These tools facilitate efficient management of services and improve accessibility for citizens. We’ve also integrated applications initiated by the Ministry of the Interior to streamline services and enhance our administrative interactions.
Editor: It’s impressive to hear that Berkane is one of the pioneering cities in Morocco in implementing these technologies. What challenges did you face during this transition, and how did you overcome them?
Ibrahimi: Every transition comes with its challenges, particularly in terms of technical infrastructure and training personnel. However, we addressed these challenges by ensuring proper training for staff, engaging with experts in digitalization, and gradually rolling out our initiatives. Public awareness campaigns also played a crucial role in helping citizens understand and embrace the new digital services.
Editor: Speaking of citizen engagement, how has the community responded to these digital changes? Are there any notable success stories or feedback from residents?
Ibrahimi: The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Many residents appreciate the convenience of accessing services online and the enhanced transparency of our operations. One success story I can share is the streamlining of permit applications, which has made the process much quicker and user-friendly. We continuously solicit feedback and adapt our services based on citizen needs.
Editor: It’s heartening to see such positive outcomes. You also mentioned the importance of connecting with other administrations. How do you envision Berkane interacting with other local authorities or governments to share best practices in digitalization?
Ibrahimi: Collaboration is key to our mission. We actively engage in forums like the Digital Society Forum, where we exchange insights with other municipalities and institutions both nationally and internationally. By sharing experiences and learning from each other, we can collectively enhance our digital strategies and improve service delivery across the board.
Editor: It seems like the future is bright for Berkane in this digital age. As you look ahead, what are your aspirations for the continuation of digital transformation in your municipality?
Ibrahimi: Our aspirations are to keep Berkane at the forefront of digital innovation. We aim to expand our services further, introduce more interactive tools, and foster a more participatory governance model. Ultimately, our goal is to create a resilient, responsive, and sustainable city that truly benefits all its residents.
Editor: Thank you so much for sharing your insights and the exciting developments in Berkane. We look forward to seeing how your initiatives evolve to create a more innovative and connected community.
Ibrahimi: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our initiatives. I believe the journey ahead will be transformative for Berkane, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.