Interviews

WAM Tech Talks 4.0 – Interview with Hatim Chraibi

Q1: SPIRE Advisory Group supports companies with strategy and growth. Where do you see the most strategic opportunities for industrial development in regions like Morocco and North Africa?

I think Morocco is strategically positioned to be a relay for the US, Europe and Middle-East in Africa. I believe the infrastructure leap made by Morocco in the last 20 years has been very impressive but needs to be sustained to be able to address some of the needs of a continent where a quarter of the world population will be based by 2050. Some of the opportunity will most certainly be in AI as an engine to scale some the infrastructure.

Q2: Morocco is positioning itself as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing and logistics. What role do you think private advisory firms like SPIRE can play in helping businesses scale sustainably in this environment?

There is a vital role of awareness that advisory structures such as Spire Advisory Group play to sensibilize industrial groups an educating them on potential opportunities in Morocco for Africa. As an example, we do engage with various industrial groups in the Silicon Valley and elsewhere who are not aware of the free trade agreement between the US and Morocco, as well as trade advantages with Africa and the European Union. We have among other things facilitated a JV between a California and Moroccan company to manufacture DNA and RNA collection kits in Morocco.

Q3: WAM brings together manufacturing, logistics, and tech leaders from across sectors. Why is it valuable for strategic advisors to be exposed to these kinds of cross-sector conversations?

As mentioned in my previous response, Africa is the last frontier and building the African infrastructure implies having all the stakeholders in the same room.  I think WAM is one of these opportunities to create synergies.

Q4: As someone with global experience, what best practices do you think North African companies should adopt to become more competitive in global value chains?

North African companies should adopt global best practices standards. Engaging in a global ecosystem and working on partnerships with international strategic players such as MawiDNA is one way to get that expertise. As they say, “practice makes perfect”. The more  North African companies are exposed to global ecosystems, the better equipped they will be to compete.

Q5: In your experience, what are the key elements that attract international investment into industrial sectors in emerging markets like Morocco?

You have the traditional ones which are the political stability and business friendly policies. I think Morocco has to leverage its unique geographic situation as well as build the awareness of the African potential. The African continent will host over a quarter of the active world population by 2040. It is also a rich continent with dire need for infrastructure. It is however a useless stat if no one knows about it.

Q6: Why is it important for platforms like WAM to connect business leaders, policy makers, and investors? What do you think is the long-term value of participating in such ecosystems?

The biggest enabler of growth and development are awareness of opportunities and meeting the right partners. These 2 things can only be achieved by connecting in platforms that such as WAM. It is the most efficient method to meet the right stakeholders and discussing the most current opportunities.