Rabat – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has joined forces with FLock.io (its artificial intelligence strategic partner) to roll out the second round of its “SDG Blockchain Accelerator,” with the program seeking to support seven international projects that use blockchain technology, federated learning, and decentralized artificial intelligence in developing countries.
One of the targeted projects is set in Morocco under the title “Cultural Heritage & Market Access (Morocco).” The project aims to develop an AI + Web3 platform that will aid Moroccan artisans using NFT authentication technology with digital marketplaces that sell to consumers and multi-modal AI content creation to increase the remuneration received by artisans.
The Morocco initiative is aligned with SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), and 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure).
Morocco’s legal framework context
In Morocco, the regulatory regime surrounding digital assets is still within a transitional process. The Ministry of Economy and Finance recently drafted Bill 42.25, which establishes a formal legal framework for “digital assets” defined as electronic representations of value or rights transferable via blockchain or distributed ledger technologies.
The regulators are to distinguish utility tokens and asset-referenced tokens (also called stablecoins) under the draft. The draft specifically excludes non-fungible tokens (NFTs), cryptocurrency mining activities, and central bank digital currencies within its definition.
The proposed law seeks to protect investors’ rights, guarantee the integrity of the market, combat money laundering as well as terrorism financing, and stimulate innovation. The law would ensure the regulation of service providers by various regulatory bodies such as the AMMC and BAM.
As the law is still in the draft stage, there is no clear regulation on the treatment of NFTs and Web3 marketplace models under Moroccan law.
The intersection between the project and the law
The Moroccan artisan-marketplace project is therefore being built within this dynamic regulatory environment. The application of NFTs to authenticate artisans and facilitate direct marketplaces relies on blockchain technology and Web3 concepts that are yet to be covered by the regulatory provisions outlined in Bill 42.25 because NFTs are exempted from the bill.
As a result, the Moroccan project that links artisan crafts to NFTs and digital marketplaces is unfolding in a regulatory space that still lacks full legal clarity.
While the marketplace’s digital commerce and AI-based marketing functions appear to align with existing e-commerce frameworks, its use of blockchain for NFT authentication introduces technologies that remain undefined under Moroccan law.
The draft Bill 42.25 focuses primarily on licensing and oversight for service providers dealing in utility and asset-referenced tokens, leaving NFTs outside its current scope.
This means the platform could face shifting regulatory conditions as the legal framework evolves.
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