Rabat Smart Book 2026: Award-Winning Innovative Projects to Democratize Access to Reading and E-Books
Closing Ceremony of the "Rabat Smart Book 2026" Hackathon Celebrates Innovative Projects
The closing ceremony of the "Rabat Smart Book 2026" Hackathon took place on Saturday in Rabat, awarding several innovative projects aimed at facilitating access to reading and promoting the inclusion of individuals with specific needs through digital technologies.
Organized by the Ribat Al Fath Association for Sustainable Development in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, this event is part of the "Rabat, World Capital of Books" initiative.
A Hackathon Dedicated to Reading and Innovation
This edition of the Hackathon was marked by the presentation of three major awards: the Technology Innovation Award, the Cultural Impact Award, and the Grand Prize of the Hackathon. These awards were given to teams that developed digital solutions aimed at modernizing access to books and knowledge.
The awarded projects are part of a cultural innovation dynamic, combining digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and social inclusion to make reading more accessible to everyone.
The Book at the Heart of the Digital Transformation
Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, emphasized that this initiative aims to place books at the center of the technological revolution.
According to him, the digital transition represents a significant opportunity to broaden the circle of readers, reduce barriers to knowledge access, and encourage the intersection of cultural heritage, modernity, and artificial intelligence.
This vision is part of a broader strategy for human development and positioning Rabat as an international platform for cultural innovation.
Technological Solutions for Inclusion
The projects developed during the Hackathon offer concrete solutions to improve accessibility to reading, particularly for people with disabilities or those living in rural areas.
Among the innovations presented were systems for converting printed books into audio format for the visually impaired, as well as eye-tracking assistive reading technologies designed for individuals with reduced mobility.
These tools illustrate the potential of digital technologies to democratize access to knowledge and reduce cultural inequalities.
Supporting Young Talent
According to the organizers, this edition of the Hackathon brought together 22 teams from various cities across the Kingdom. The hybrid format adopted over several months allowed participants to develop more refined and structured projects.
The winning projects will now receive support to facilitate their realization and deployment in the field, emphasizing the valorization of youth innovation.
A Movement Driven by Civil Society
The Ribat Al Fath Association for Sustainable Development, which has been committed for several decades to promoting innovation and modernization, reaffirmed its role in supporting youth and disseminating educational technologies.
Officials highlighted the importance of adapting reading practices to digital developments to enhance the love of books and foster an inclusive knowledge society.
A Cultural Vision for the Future
Through the "Rabat Smart Book 2026" Hackathon, institutional and associative actors aim to leverage books as a driver of digital and social transformation.
This initiative illustrates the desire to combine culture, technology, and inclusion to create new models for access to knowledge, aligning with contemporary changes.
