It always begins with humble trickles of water. A quiet source flowing gently, timidly, almost imperceptibly. These streams intertwine, cross other paths, and meet new currents. Gradually, the water gains strength, widens, and accelerates. Each drop joins another, forming an irresistible movement. And one day, what was once a murmur becomes a river—a mighty force capable of transforming everything it touches.
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Emerging People, in its 27th edition, embodied this dynamic. At our headquarters in Sidi Ghanem, we welcomed 150 guests—talents, public institutions, entrepreneurs, civil society actors, and loyal partners. This moment marked a new chapter, a convergence. It wasn’t just an evening; it was the culmination of a long journey and the starting point of an even greater momentum.
Since 2018, Emerging People has sparked ideas, facilitated decisive encounters, and witnessed the birth of transformative projects. Each edition was like a stream, adding its drop of water to a larger flow. But on this January evening, during its 27th edition, this current revealed its full strength.
For the first time, Emerging People was hosted in our home, at the heart of EBF, which this year celebrates its nine-year anniversary. This space—where ideas come to life, initiatives take root, and energies converge—marked a pivotal moment in our story. We must also give special recognition to the Near East Foundation, which has faithfully supported us since the early editions, and whose discreet yet constant support has helped build the ecosystem we celebrate today.
And this is where the river emerged. For when we speak of innovation, digital transformation, and progress, we are not merely talking about tools or abstract concepts. We are speaking of a river—powerful but untamed—that must be channeled. Emerging People, in its 27th edition, was the moment this river took shape, its banks defined, its course clarified, announcing to our distinguished partners the imminent launch of the first cohort of the École du Digital.
The evening was also punctuated by exceptional moments. Chef Olivier Berzatto provided a culinary experience that delighted the senses, reminding us that innovation, like cuisine, is an art nourished by creativity and passion. Maître Gnawi Othmane Ait Hmitti, meanwhile, transported the audience with a vibrant musical performance, reminding us that technology, without emotion, is merely an empty tool.
The École du Digital: Our Dam to Harness Energy
On Thursday evening, we unveiled the École du Digital (EDD), the latest milestone in this journey. The EDD is not a traditional school. It is a dam—a lever, a space where the raw energy of digital transformation is harnessed to nurture talents, connect initiatives, and transform territories.
Through its masterclasses, workshops, and training programs, the EDD is both a place of learning and a springboard for growth. The first cohort, set to begin on February 17, is a concrete response to pressing needs: to train the talents of tomorrow, support businesses, and create solutions tailored to a rapidly changing world. By unveiling the EDD, Emerging People demonstrated the full power of this river.
But this river cannot move forward alone. It needs its banks, its tributaries, its canals. We call on our partners, talents, and allies to join us. To climb the river’s course with us, to channel it together so it benefits all. In a world where artificial intelligence promises to transform entire economies—let us recall the $500 billion recently announced by Trump to develop AI—we cannot afford to be left behind. The digital future is already here. We must act.
Emerging People was not just an evening. It was a declaration, an invitation, a shared vision. Today, this river is ready to flow, to nourish, to transform. And we look forward to moving forward, with you.
Post Scriptum
I cannot conclude without expressing my gratitude to the EBF team—a team I can no longer count as mere employees, as they transcend the boundaries of a traditional structure. I think of those who, even for the duration of a single project, leave behind their daily lives to help us drive the success of our initiatives. I am particularly thinking of Naoufal El Adnani, the head of his remarkable event management company INCEVENT, one of those generous and committed souls. With him, the line between collaborator and partner blurs—and we don’t even want to draw that distinction.
For some, EBF is a company. For us, it is an initiative, a vision that anyone can join to contribute. This openness, this ability to welcome energies and talents, is the strength of what we are building together. Thank you to all who, near or far, are part of this adventure.
