• Inwi, China Mobile partner to deploy Morocco’s first private 5G

• Network to serve 52-hectare industrial site in Nador

• Project supports automation, IoT, and Industry 4.0 ambitions

Moroccan telecoms operator Inwi signed a strategic partnership with China Mobile International on Tuesday to deploy a private 5G network for industrial use, the first such project in Morocco.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of GITEX Africa Morocco in Marrakech. The network will be deployed on a 52-hectare industrial site in the Oriental region.

Under the partnership, Inwi will handle the design, commissioning and operation of a secure, high-speed infrastructure for one of China Mobile’s major clients in the region. The industrial facility is located in Nador, near the city’s port complex, and aims to become a continental benchmark for advanced automation and digitization.

"This deployment illustrates Inwi's ambition to support the digital transformation of Moroccan industrial players by offering them sovereign, high-performance infrastructures adapted to critical uses. This project paves the way for a new generation of Industry 4.0 in Morocco," the operator said.

The project requires ultra-reliable, ultra-low-latency connectivity, combined with high stability and strong data throughput — capabilities essential for managing intelligent systems and deploying large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The network will enable remote sensing and real-time monitoring of production indicators, aligning the site with international smart factory standards.

Beyond this project, private 5G is emerging as a key driver for industrial companies. Unlike public networks, it offers dedicated, secure and customizable connectivity, helping ensure uninterrupted operations, reducing interference risks and improving the performance of connected equipment. It also enables process automation, predictive maintenance and the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and real-time data analytics.

For this deployment, Inwi is also leveraging expertise developed with Huawei. Solutions from that partnership support the digital transformation of several key sectors, including mining, energy, agriculture and logistics.

The partnership is part of Morocco's broader strategy to strengthen industrial competitiveness through digital innovation. China Mobile International, for its part, sees it as a step toward building high-speed infrastructures capable of supporting long-term industrial transformation and regional economic growth.

Samira Njoya