Digital Inclusion and the Digital Divide in Rural Moroccan Communities: A Societal Perspective

Digital inclusion refers to the process of ensuring that all individuals have access to digital technologies and can use them effectively for social and economic purposes. The digital divide, in contrast, highlights disparities in access and usage between different groups within a society. A survey was conducted in five randomly selected villages across Morocco's rural regions. Data were collected through online questionnaires administered by trained facilitators who ensured understanding and privacy for all respondents. The findings indicate that while over 80% of the sampled households have access to basic digital devices, only a third fully utilise these tools in their daily routines, with significant disparities observed between urbanized and traditional villages. Rural Moroccan communities show varying levels of digital inclusion, influenced by socioeconomic conditions and technological infrastructure availability. These insights are crucial for policymakers aiming to bridge the digital divide within rural settings. Policymakers should prioritise investments in broadband internet accessibility and community-based training programmes to enhance digital literacy and usage among rural residents.