Oracle Announces Expansion: Two Public Cloud Regions to Open in Morocco

Tech giant Oracle unveiled plans to establish a significant presence in North Africa on May 30, 2024. The company announced its intention to build two public cloud regions in Morocco, marking the first such endeavor by a hyper-scaler in the region. This move signifies Oracle’s commitment to supporting the digital transformation journey of Morocco and neighboring African nations.

Oracle’s expansion into Morocco aligns with the country’s vision to become a digital hub in North Africa and reinforces Oracle’s position as a key player in the region’s cloud ecosystem. The two new cloud regions will offer a comprehensive suite of Oracle Cloud services, including Oracle Autonomous Database, Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, enabling customers to leverage cutting-edge technologies to fuel their growth and competitiveness.

One of the primary benefits of these new cloud regions is the enhanced performance and reduced latency they will provide to businesses in Morocco and neighboring countries. By deploying workloads closer to their operations, organizations can experience faster response times and improved overall efficiency, leading to better customer experiences and increased operational agility.

Also Read: Google Invests US$2 Billion in Malaysia’s First Data Center and Cloud Region

Location and Services

The planned public cloud regions will be situated in Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial hub, and Settat, a growing technology center. These cloud regions will house Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services that will be readily available to Moroccan businesses and organizations.

OCI: The Powerhouse Behind the Cloud Regions

OCI acts as the engine that drives the functionality of the Moroccan cloud regions. It delivers a comprehensive suite of benefits:

• Leading-Edge AI Infrastructure: OCI offers access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure, including high-performance compute instances, GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), and specialized AI tools. These resources enable businesses to develop, train, and deploy sophisticated AI models efficiently.
• Scalable Cloud Foundation: OCI provides a robust and scalable cloud foundation that can seamlessly handle the ever-growing demands of AI workloads. This includes secure, high-performance storage, reliable networking, and a suite of cloud management tools.

OCI is a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services that offers a robust range of solutions, including:

• High-performance compute: Scalable and secure compute resources for demanding workloads.
• Object storage: Cost-effective and reliable storage for a variety of data needs.
• Block storage: High-performance block storage for critical applications.
• Database services: A portfolio of managed database services, including Oracle Database and MySQL.
• Networking: Secure and scalable networking solutions to connect your resources.
• Analytics and Machine Learning: Tools and services to gain insights from your data and automate tasks.

Alignment with Morocco’s Digital Strategy

The establishment of Oracle Cloud Regions aligns with Morocco’s national “Cloud First Policy,” which emphasizes the adoption of cloud computing solutions by government agencies. OCI’s presence directly contributes to this policy’s goals by providing a secure and scalable platform for the government to:

• Enhance government service delivery.
• Modernize public sector operations.
• Foster innovation within government agencies.

Collaboration for Success

Oracle highlighted its commitment to fostering a collaborative environment. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with key Moroccan government officials, including the Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform. This MoU signifies a joint effort to establish a robust cloud ecosystem in Morocco and support the nation’s digital transformation goals.

During GITEX Africa 2024, Oracle leaders, along with Mr. Mohcine Jazouli, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies; Ms. Ghita Mezzour, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform; and Mr. Ali Seddiki, General Director of the Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investments and Exports (AMDIE), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the two Oracle Cloud Regions in Morocco.

“The opening of Oracle’s public cloud in Morocco will accelerate the digital transformation throughout the region,”

said Ms. Ghita Mezzour, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.

“This strategic expansion, with a hyper-scaler like Oracle, positions Morocco as a unique player in the region and allows an even more dynamic development of skills, and growth opportunities.”

“As one of the largest economies in Africa, and with strong business and cultural connections with West Africa, Maghreb, and Europe, Morocco offers unique growth opportunities for businesses that are aiming to accelerate their expansion by deploying the latest digital technologies,”

said Richard Smith, executive vice president, Technology, EMEA, Oracle.

“The upcoming Oracle Cloud Regions will offer enterprise-grade cloud capabilities to help organizations quickly deliver new solutions, build resilience, and explore new markets to help accelerate growth. The new regions will also serve as the foundation for the Moroccan government’s modernization of its public services to better serve its people.”

“We warmly welcome Oracle’s investment in Moroccan soil, emphasizing a strong confidence in the Moroccan youth’s expertise and talent. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering technological advancement within our nation. Furthermore, it positions Morocco prominently on the international digital stage, showcasing our capabilities and readiness to lead in the global digital economy,”

said Mr. Mohcine Jazouli, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies.

Conclusion

The arrival of Oracle Cloud Regions in Morocco signifies a new era for the country’s digital landscape. With access to OCI’s comprehensive suite of cloud services, Moroccan businesses and organizations are empowered to embrace innovation, streamline operations, and unlock new growth opportunities. This project, coupled with collaborative efforts between Oracle and the Moroccan government, has the potential to propel Morocco towards a future driven by technological advancements.

Sources:

https://www.oracle.com/pk/news/announcement/oracle-plans-to-open-two-public-cloud-regions-in-morocco-2024-05-30

https://techpoint.africa/2024/05/30/oracle-public-cloud-regions-morocco

FAQs

Q- What is Oracle’s Distributed Cloud?

Oracle’s Distributed Cloud is a cloud computing strategy that allows businesses to deploy Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) services in various locations, including their own data centers, public cloud platforms, or a hybrid combination. This approach provides greater control and flexibility compared to traditional public cloud models.

Q- Who can benefit from Oracle’s Distributed Cloud?

This strategy is ideal for businesses with:

• Hybrid or multi-cloud environments
• Concerns about data security and compliance
• Existing hardware investments they want to leverage
• A desire for flexibility in cloud deployment

Q- What are the key advantages of Oracle’s Distributed Cloud?

• Choice and Flexibility: Deploy workloads where it suits your needs (on-premises, public cloud, hybrid).
• Reduced Costs: Optimize resource utilization and potentially avoid vendor lock-in.
• Enhanced Security: Maintain control of sensitive data by choosing the deployment location.
• Seamless Integration: Manage on-premises and cloud resources with a unified experience.

Q- Does Oracle’s Distributed Cloud lock me into their platform?

No, the Distributed Cloud model allows you to leverage OCI services in your data center or even on other public cloud platforms. This approach reduces vendor lock-in and provides more flexibility in your cloud strategy.

Q- How does Oracle’s Distributed Cloud compare to traditional public cloud offerings?

Traditional public cloud offerings typically require businesses to migrate their workloads entirely to the cloud provider’s infrastructure. Oracle’s Distributed Cloud offers more control and flexibility by allowing for on-premises or hybrid deployments.

Q- Where can I find more information about Oracle’s Distributed Cloud?

For a deeper dive into Oracle’s Distributed Cloud strategy, you can visit the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure website or contact an Oracle representative.