Azrou’s digital revolution
In Azrou, nestled in the heart of the Middle Atlas region, technology has brought a new light into the lives of thousands. Since 2005, thanks to our collaboration with the Al Akhawayn University’s Community Development Center, the Digital Unify (DU) program has offered a tangible opportunity for growth and empowerment, especially for youth, women, and workers in the most remote areas.
Abdelwahab El Ramli, 31, is one of them. A shopkeeper in Azrou, he mastered Word, Excel, and PowerPoint through the training provided at the center. Inspired by the experience, he began sharing his knowledge with the young people working alongside him and beyond. “I also led training sessions in Midelt, Ifrane, Khénifra, and Aïn El Leuh,” he says. “And I can only thank those who made it all possible.”
Hasna Hilali, after gaining new digital skills to grow her own business, was determined to share these valuable tools with as many people as possible. After completing a basic IT course, she began teaching mathematics using tablets and educational software in extracurricular classes, making learning both more effective and more engaging. “Technology helped me make lessons more dynamic and impactful,” she explains. “I was able to organize math contests, digital olympiads, and awareness-raising activities through interactive presentations.”
Bader Sdouqi, now a member of the technical and teaching staff at the center, also began his journey there: “The course taught me the basics of computing and sparked a passion that led me to earn further qualifications and build a career in the ICT sector.”
The secret to DU’s success lies in its ability to adapt to the real needs of the community: tailored language support for those unfamiliar with technical English or French, free access to labs for in-depth study, targeted courses in rural villages, and a constant focus on inclusion. In nearly two decades, over 10,800 people have taken part in these courses, more than 57% of them women, resulting in a lasting transformation of skills, perspectives, and self-confidence.
As Latifa Yassine, one of the first trainers selected in 2005, recalls: “We’ve always prioritized a simple, direct, and accessible approach. The change is visible, participants transform how they live and work. The computer becomes a daily tool, a doorway to new opportunities.”
In a world that’s rapidly going digital, the Azrou Community Development Center, with our continued support, remains a driving force, bridging the digital divide, building skills, and opening concrete pathways toward autonomy, employment, and active citizenship.