Rabat – During a two-day visit, Morocco’s High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) explored opportunities to strengthen its media cooperation with Niger.
HACA’s President Latifa Akharbach held meetings in Niamey with Nigerian Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine and Mamoudou Djingarey, President of the Advisory Council for the Refoundation.
The meetings represent a shared commitment to advancing media regulation frameworks and promoting reliable information as a public good, a priority for Morocco and Niger in consolidating Africa’s information sovereignty.
Prime Minister Zeine pointed to the longstanding cooperation between the two countries and acknowledged Morocco’s leadership in supporting pan-African initiatives.
In discussions with Djingarey, Akharbach explored concrete avenues for collaboration, focusing on the crucial role of regulators in protecting societies against disinformation, ensuring fair access to information, and fostering cohesion through responsible media practices.
At the invitation of Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, President of Niger’s newly formed National Communication Observatory (ONC), Akharbach discussed adapting regulatory tools to address both traditional media and emerging digital platforms.
A central outcome of the visit was the signing of an agreement to deploy the HMS+ (HACA Media Solutions) system at the ONC’s monitoring center.
Developed by Moroccan engineers, HMS+ provides internationally recognized capabilities for monitoring and tracking audiovisual content.
The delegation also met with Nigerien public and private media operators to reinforce practical cooperation and mutual understanding of national media landscapes.
Accompanying Akharbach were Nadir Tahir, Director of Program Monitoring, and Talal Salahdine, Manager of African and International Affairs.
The visit further notes the strategic role of pan-African networks, such as the African Network of Communication Regulatory Authorities, in engaging global digital platforms to protect the rights of African users online.
Akharbach’s mission signals Morocco’s commitment to building robust institutional partnerships across Africa, ensuring credible, sovereign, and transparent media systems that serve citizens and strengthen regional cooperation.
By working closely with Niger, Morocco promotes reliable and independent information while building trust and cooperation between the two countries.