Morocco is among the most advanced countries in the world in terms of cybercrime legislation, according to Virgil Spiridon, Head of Operations at the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Program Office.
Speaking to MAP on the sidelines of the 3rd African Forum on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence, held on November 25–26 in Nairobi, Spiridon highlighted the Kingdom’s strong positioning in the fight against cybercrime and its “pivotal regional role” within the Council of Europe’s Global Action on Cybercrime (GLACY+) program.
He stressed that Morocco’s central role and accumulated expertise have made it “an example to follow in Africa,” underscoring that the Council of Europe considers the Kingdom a long-term partner in strengthening global cyber resilience.
Morocco’s leadership is further reflected in its status as a State Party to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the first international legal instrument dedicated to combating computer-related offenses, and as a signatory to the Second Additional Protocol, which reinforces international cooperation and evidence-sharing in cybercrime investigations.
Spiridon noted that the challenges posed by cybercrime have become universal, citing ransomware, sophisticated cyberattacks, online child sexual exploitation, and the criminal misuse of artificial intelligence among the most pressing threats worldwide. He emphasized that the nature and complexity of these risks vary according to each country’s digital transformation and the resources available to cybercriminal networks.
He further underlined that strengthening legislative frameworks is essential for African countries seeking to build harmonized, resilient systems tailored to their national contexts.
Morocco’s participation in the Nairobi forum reaffirms its commitment to combating cybercrime at national, continental, and international levels. The Kingdom also recently signed the UN Convention on Cybercrime in Hanoi, reinforcing its efforts to enhance global cooperation against digital threats.
The Forum’s program includes thematic workshops addressing key issues related to cybercrime and electronic evidence, with a particular focus on aligning African legislation with international standards and exploring the synergies between the Budapest Convention and the new UN cybercrime treaty.
