Digital Guardianship: Strategies for Cultural Heritage Preservation in Morocco's West African Context

Digital technologies have become integral to cultural heritage preservation in Morocco's West African context, necessitating innovative strategies for safeguarding intangible and tangible assets. A mixed-method approach combining qualitative interviews with policymakers and stakeholders, along with a thematic review of existing literature on digital preservation in Africa's cultural sectors. The analysis reveals a significant disparity in access to digital tools among various regions within Morocco, particularly in rural areas where less than 30% of the population has internet connectivity. Digital guardianship efforts must prioritise equitable access and capacity building for local communities to effectively preserve cultural heritage in a digital age. Develop targeted digital literacy programmes for marginalized communities; advocate for public-private partnerships to fund infrastructure improvements; integrate community engagement into digital preservation initiatives.