Morocco joins countries giving artificial intelligence a Ministerial portfolio

Morocco has placed artificial intelligence at the center of a ministerial portfolio for the first time, appointing Ahmed Rahhou to lead the newly named Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Administrative Reform.

The move places the kingdom among a small group of countries that have given AI a dedicated ministerial role, although approaches vary, from standalone portfolios to responsibilities distributed across existing government departments.

Who is Ahmed Rahhou?

At 68, Rahhou brings decades of experience in banking, business and public service to his new role.

Born in Meknes in 1958, he studied telecommunications engineering before beginning his professional career at Royal Air Maroc.

He later held senior positions at Lesieur Cristal, where he became chief executive in March 2003, and CIH Bank, which he took over on Oct. 6, 2009, at a time when the bank was reportedly facing financial difficulties.

At CIH Bank, Rahhou oversaw a digital transformation that included the launch of the MyCIH mobile banking application in 2014 and the introduction of a free banking offer for customers under 30, which had attracted thousands of young clients by 2016.

In 2019, he was appointed Morocco’s ambassador to the European Union. In March 2021, he became president of the Competition Council, the independent body responsible for safeguarding competition in the Moroccan market.

His appointment to the new ministry brings together his experience in digital transformation, economic regulation and public administration.

How other countries are integrating AI into government

As governments confront the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence, several countries have introduced dedicated ministerial responsibilities or expanded existing portfolios to include the technology.

In 2025, Trinidad and Tobago merged its ministries of Public Administration and Digital Transformation to establish the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence.

The ministry has since focused on assessing the country’s readiness for AI to guide policymaking, investment priorities and its long-term strategy. It has also launched a six-month AI Academy pilot aimed at strengthening AI skills across the public service.

Canada created a dedicated portfolio in May 2025, appointing Evan Solomon as minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation.

His mandate includes developing AI policy and promoting responsible AI development, with an emphasis on Canadian-owned infrastructure, including data centers and high-speed communications networks. The approach is intended to strengthen data sovereignty and support the country’s economic independence.

The United Kingdom, by contrast, has integrated AI responsibilities into existing government structures rather than establishing a standalone ministry.

Since July 2026, a minister of state for artificial intelligence has worked across the Department for Business, Innovation and Science and the Cabinet Office. The role covers AI policy, research and innovation, wider adoption of the technology across the economy and public services, and AI security.

The United Arab Emirates adopted a ministerial approach earlier. In 2017, it became the first country to appoint a minister of state for artificial intelligence, naming Omar Sultan Al Olama to the position. In July 2020, his portfolio was expanded to include the digital economy and remote work applications.

The UAE’s approach has centered on using emerging technologies to improve government performance and expand AI adoption across different sectors.

Morocco’s new portfolio places AI alongside digital transformation and administrative reform, linking the technology to the modernization of public services and government operations. Its practical impact will depend on how these responsibilities are translated into policy, public-sector adoption and safeguards for the use of AI.

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