American multinational IBM has launched a Global Delivery Center in Casablanca, Morocco to benefit Moroccans and the French-speaking community on the continent.

IBM hopes the center, which will promote innovative technology, will employ 400 IT professionals who will assist in sharpening the region’s systems integration services, application development and maintenance over the next three years, according to a report by Trade Arabia.

Abdallah Rachidi Alaoui, IBM Morocco country General Manager, explained that “the center is part of a broad program of investment that IBM is making across Africa and reflects IBM’s commitment to providing the high-value technology services required by clients in Morocco and French-speaking Africa.”

“It also highlights IBM’s commitment to partnering with local universities and academic institutions to deliver high value skills highly relevant in today’s marketplace”, Mr Alaoui said.

IBM will also be partnering with Morocco’s government to “stimulate economic activity.”

The center will employ IT professionals with backgrounds in science, mathematics, engineering and computer science as well as technology graduates. Hosting internships and graduate assignments, the center plans to integrate emerging technology that includes cloud and mobile services, as well as big data.

Through local university partnerships, the center will help to creating up-to-date curriculum for future graduates and changing technology career landscapes.

Abdelkader Amara, Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies of Morocco believes the partnership will bring many benefits.

“Our work with IBM to create this center reflects the Government of Morocco’s deep commitment to investing in developing highly skilled professionals to succeed in competitive global markets.”

“The launch and successful development of this technology center, that is expected to grow in the coming years, will result in a culture that will foster and promote a stronger knowledge-based export economy for Morocco,” he explained.

IBM has been actively building its footprints in Africa in the last few years. The company already has operations in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and a few other countries on the continent.

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