UM6P’s vision to combine science, entrepreneurship, and global partnerships to power the continent’s transformation
In a recent feature published by Jeune Afrique, the magazine takes an in-depth look at the innovative economic model of UM6P — a university redefining higher education and applied research in Africa.
Founded in 2013 and backed by the OCP Group, UM6P is described as a university-enterprise hybrid, designed to bridge science and socio-economic development. With a capital base of 38 billion dirhams (3.5 billion euros) and over 8,750 students across its campuses, the University has become a cornerstone of Morocco’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Diversifying for Africa’s Future
Jeune Afrique highlights UM6P’s growing footprint across disciplines and continents — from artificial intelligence and green hydrogen to hospitality, sports sciences, and startup investment through UM6P Ventures, which mobilized 500 million dirhams in 2024 to support young innovators across Africa.
President Hicham El Habti explains that the University’s approach goes far beyond traditional academia:
Our model combines education, innovation, and entrepreneurship — transforming scientific research into economic and social value.”
UM6P’s initiatives like InnovX, a 2-billion-dirham innovation platform, and partnerships with global technology and research leaders, embody this mission. Its Green Energy Park, AI Movement (UNESCO Category II Center), and coding school 1337 reinforce UM6P’s position as a continental hub for applied science and digital transformation.
A Sustainable Model Anchored in Research
According to Jeune Afrique, UM6P’s business model integrates revenue-generating innovation — through research contracts, technology transfer, patents, and specialized training. Each initiative is designed to create impact, supplying high-level talent to key sectors such as energy, AI, and agriculture.
President El Habti also emphasizes the University’s diaspora engagement strategy, supported by international hubs in Paris, Montreal, Washington, and Cambridge, aimed at connecting African expertise worldwide and positioning UM6P as a bridge between global innovation and African potential.
“We are building a network that mirrors the agility of global leaders like MIT, while staying rooted in African realities,” he notes.
UM6P: A Catalyst for Africa’s Knowledge Economy
The article concludes that UM6P stands as a model for African universities, showing how education can drive industrial competitiveness and economic diversification. By linking academic excellence, entrepreneurship, and research valorization, the University reinforces its role as a key actor in shaping Africa’s sustainable and knowledge-driven future.
Source: Jeune Afrique – “Les secrets du modèle économique de l’UM6P,” October 27, 2025
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