In collaboration with IBM ecosystem partner Power Maroc (Power M) and IBM, Société Générale Maroc is transitioning from monolithic applications to a modern, microservices-based architecture. As Morocco becomes increasingly digitised, customers are increasingly demanding seamless and swift digital experiences. Recognising this shift, Société Générale Maroc identified the need to modernise its IT infrastructure to support open banking initiatives and foster innovation.
The bank’s existing monolithic systems, while reliable, posed challenges in scalability and integration with third-party services, hindering the rapid deployment of new digital offerings.
“To build a sustainable system, it is essential to strengthen the foundations of infrastructure and platforms, avoiding reliance on fragile structures,” says Adil El Kourri, CIO and chief operating officer: tech at Société Générale Maroc. “IBM Cloud Pak, with its resilience and modularity, serves as a cornerstone of this transformation, providing enhanced security, optimised performance and opportunities for innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence.
“This transformation, supported by partners like IBM, positions Société Générale Maroc as an innovative and forward-thinking bank, setting the stage for a strategy that combines technological robustness, operational excellence, and innovation.”
In collaboration with IBM Expert Labs, Power Maroc conducted a comprehensive analysis of Société Générale Maroc’s applications. The initial phase focused on resolving core performance issues and enhancing security measures. Upgrades to IBM Guardium and IBM MQ were implemented to safeguard sensitive customer data and ensure high-availability messaging between applications, even during peak periods.
Additionally, the deployment of IBM Instana provided the IT team with enhanced observability across the infrastructure, facilitating proactive issue resolution. Building upon this solid foundation, Société Générale Maroc is advancing its modernization efforts by deploying IBM Cloud Pak for Integration and IBM Cloud Pak for Applications.
Furthermore, the bank is adopting Power Maroc’s containerisation platform, rKube, built on IBM Red Hat OpenShift. This integration is set to streamline services, promote innovation at scale, and position Société Générale Maroc at the forefront of Morocco’s banking sector.
“At Power Maroc, we view technological solutions within the broader business context,” says Walid Largou, chief technology officer at Power Maroc. “Our collaboration with Société Générale Maroc and IBM is not just about addressing technical challenges but unlocking new business opportunities that drive growth and enhance customer satisfaction.”
The transformation aligns with global banking trends emphasising digitisation to reshape operations and drive innovation. According to IBM’s 2025 Global Outlook for Banking and Financial Markets, for banks to elevate their financial and operational performance in today’s digital first economies, embracing end-to-end digitisation is a critical imperative to keeping up with client demands and AI-led innovations.
“We are excited to support Société Générale Maroc in its journey towards a modernized, agile banking infrastructure,” says Mimoun Ouchaou, GM and technology leader at IBM Morocco. “By leveraging IBM’s advanced technologies and the expertise of Power Maroc, Société Générale Maroc is well-positioned to meet evolving customer expectations and drive innovation in the Moroccan financial sector.”