Rabat is embarking on an ambitious surveillance project featuring the deployment of 4,000 artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cameras with facial recognition capabilities, expected to be operational by the end of 2025. With a proposed budget of MAD 108 million (approximately $10.8 million), this initiative aims to transform the capital into a smart and secure city through cutting-edge technology.
The surveillance project is structured into two main components, as outlined in official documentation. The first segment focuses on establishing command centers and constructing necessary data infrastructure. This phase has been awarded to Finatech Group, which secured the contract for MAD 34.79 million ($3.48 million). The second component involves the installation of the actual surveillance system, conferred to Alomra Group International for MAD 73.82 million ($7.38 million).
The new surveillance network will utilize various sophisticated camera types, including panoramic pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, dedicated facial recognition cameras, and long-range monitoring devices strategically installed throughout Rabat’s public spaces for comprehensive coverage. Furthermore, the cameras will feature automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology, coupled with AI capabilities that analyze behavior patterns in real-time.
Implementation timelines are notably tight, with the initial component aimed for completion within five months and the subsequent component within six months, promising full operational status before the close of 2025.
According to Anas Abou El Kalam, Head of the Cybersecurity Department at Cadi Ayyad University, the timing of this initiative aligns with Morocco's preparation to host numerous large-scale international events. "This project comes as Morocco prepares to host major international sporting, cultural, political, and scientific events, primarily the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup," Abou El Kalam stated in an interview with Morocco World News.
Moreover, the heightened security measures are partially driven by increasing cross-border security threats. Abou El Kalam indicated, "This coincides with increasing terrorist threats and security risks that transcend borders, making it necessary to establish an integrated digital security system capable of early detection and rapid, effective intervention to protect citizens, visitors, and vital facilities." He further explained that this surveillance project is a crucial element of Morocco’s Vision 2030 and is essential for reinforcing the country's image as a secure destination.
The installation of the surveillance system represents just the first phase of a broader national initiative. The plan intends to extend the smart surveillance system to other major Moroccan cities, such as Casablanca, Tangier, and Marrakech, particularly as these cities prepare to accommodate numerous sporting and tourism events.
However, Abdelmajid Charrass, Associate Professor at Sultan Moulay Slimane University, highlighted potential challenges. "If successful in Rabat, the system could be expanded to other cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier,” Charrass explained, but he cautioned against the high costs associated with creating a comprehensive surveillance network across multiple urban areas. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of robust infrastructure and legal frameworks to safeguard citizens’ privacy amid such technological expansions.
On the technical side, the system’s deployment includes a fiber optic network infrastructure and CAT 6A cabling, ensuring high-speed data transmission between the cameras and control centers. Security experts have raised alarms about potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities that such advanced systems may face, emphasizing the need to protect these networks from hacking or technical failures.
Charrass voiced concern over the challenges associated with cybersecurity, asserting, “As technology advances, so does cybercrime, making surveillance systems themselves vulnerable to hacking or technical failures.” This outlines the dual-edged nature of the project, which seeks to enhance security while concurrently grappling with the risks associated with data management.
Regardless of the security advancements promised by the new system, the introduction of such innovative surveillance technology ignites significant privacy concerns. “The introduction of smart surveillance systems has sparked debate about their impact on privacy and individual freedoms,” Charrass remarked. He urged the necessity for transparency in the system’s operations, reinforcing that citizens should comprehend how their data is collected, stored, and utilized.
Abou El Kalam affirmed the collection of extensive data inherent in such projects could lead to excessive surveillance, stating, “The use of this technology inevitably leads to collecting massive data that must be legally and technically framed, otherwise these systems turn into tools for excessive monitoring and restriction of individual freedoms.” He outlined several safeguards necessary to prevent misuse, including clear legislative regulations, accountability frameworks for violations, and stringent data retention policies. Best practices typically demand that footage be deleted after a set duration unless flagged for further examination.
As the surveillance system approaches its installation deadline, security and privacy experts will remain vigilant about maintaining a balanced approach, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive monitoring. With pressing questions regarding responsible usage looming, the successful implementation of Rabat's smart surveillance system will ultimately hinge on its ability to provide improved security while upholding individual freedoms. “How to ensure that technology is used responsibly and fairly?” Charrass pondered, encapsulating the overarching societal concern as Morocco strides down its digital transformation path.
