From Margins to Mainstream: Coding School to Transform Drâa-Tafilalet

In a bold move to bridge the digital divide, Morocco is launching a coding school in the remote Drâa-Tafilalet region, aiming to empower youth, ignite innovation, and anchor inclusive national transformation.

Rabat | July 24, 2025 —
In a sun-scorched region known more for palm groves and kasbahs than keyboards and code, a quiet revolution is underway. Morocco is bringing its digital transformation agenda to one of its most underserved areas—Drâa-Tafilalet—through a flagship coding school that promises to reshape opportunity for the region’s youth.

Amal El Fallah–Seghrouchni, Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, met with Wali Saïd Zniber and Regional Council President Hro Abrou this week to confirm the project’s launch in coordination with the national “Digital Morocco 2030” agenda. The initiative isn’t just about education; it’s a statement of intent—that even Morocco’s most remote communities have a role to play in the country’s high-tech future.

“This is about more than just learning to code,” Minister El Fallah–Seghrouchni emphasized. “It’s about restoring hope, building futures, and anchoring our national growth in every region, not just in the big cities.”

🔍 Coding Against the Odds

Drâa-Tafilalet, a vast and sparsely populated region in southeastern Morocco, faces entrenched challenges: high school dropout rates, limited internet access, and minimal digital infrastructure. Only 51.5% of residents are regular internet users, and in many villages, high-speed connectivity is still a dream.

But that hasn’t stopped the government’s ambition. The coding school—set to be modeled after Morocco’s “1337” and “YouCode” academies—will offer free, project-based programming education with no prerequisite degree. Its mission: train a new generation of software developers, digital entrepreneurs, and tech innovators from the rural heart of Morocco.

“This is a region full of untapped potential,” said Hro Abrou, adding that local youth have been “waiting for a chance to contribute to Morocco’s digital economy.”

🛠️ Obstacles in the Path

While the initiative is promising, it’s not without challenges. Experts point to several barriers:

• Infrastructure gaps: Some areas still lack reliable electricity or broadband.
• Digital illiteracy: Many young applicants have never used a computer.
• Economic pressure: Families often depend on youth to contribute income, making full-time training difficult.
• Gender disparity: Cultural norms can limit young women’s participation in tech programs.

A recent government report stressed that 1,800 Moroccan villages still have no internet access—a reality that Drâa-Tafilalet’s success will depend on overcoming.

🤝 A Multi-Stakeholder Model

To address these issues, the Ministry is mobilizing a public-private partnership strategy, aiming to include:

• Telecom companies (to expand infrastructure)
• NGOs (for community outreach and inclusion)
• Local councils (for funding and site development)
• Tech firms (for mentoring and internships)

The school will also incorporate support programs—transport subsidies, stipends, and housing for students from remote provinces—to ensure equitable access.

“We’re not just building a school,” said Minister El Fallah–Seghrouchni. “We’re building a sustainable ecosystem of talent, opportunity, and innovation that starts here and spreads across Morocco.”

🚀 The Bigger Picture: Morocco’s Digital Dream

This project aligns with Morocco’s strategic objective to make digital transformation contribute at least 10% to GDP by 2030, reduce youth unemployment, and attract foreign investment in the tech sector.

If successful, the Drâa-Tafilalet coding school could serve as a model for digital development across Africa—a case study in how to connect talent in remote regions to global digital markets.

And for young Moroccans in the valleys of Tafilalet, it’s more than policy—it’s a new beginning.