Guidance

Overseas business risk: Morocco

Updated 17 July 2025

Overseas business risk: Morocco

1. Political

Morocco is a politically stable country. It is a constitutional monarchy, led by King Mohamed VI, who came to the throne in 1999. There are two legislative bodies, the Lower House, which is directly elected, and the Upper House, elected through a college of electors. The most recent general elections took place in September 2021. They resulted in the formation of a three-party coalition, led by the National Rally of Independents (RNI), whose leader, businessman and former Agriculture Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, is now Head of Government. The other coalition members are the Istiqlal party and the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM). After two terms in government, the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) lost comprehensively in 2021, re-joining the opposition.

In 2011, when the ‘Arab Spring’ reverberated across much of the region, Morocco experienced some protests. However, these were relatively small-scale compared to other affected countries. They culminated in the King’s adoption of a more progressive constitution and the election of a new government the same year.

The EU granted Morocco European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Advanced Status in 2008, reflecting the ambition to strengthen EU-Morocco co-operation, and further support economic and political reforms. Morocco is the only African country to have a Free-Trade Agreement with the US and enjoys close relations with the Gulf States and Sub-Saharan Africa. Morocco officially re-joined the African Union in January 2017, and has solidified its economic presence across the continent, including through frequent exchanges of official visits (including Royal) and economic partnerships. Morocco is the second largest African investor in the continent, and Moroccan institutions are present across several sectors, including banking, insurance, renewable energy (MASEN), fertilisers (OCP Group) and telecoms. Morocco is also engaged in development efforts across the continent through its development agency (AMCI).

However, Morocco’s border with neighbouring Algeria has been closed since 1994 (see section 5 below: Western Sahara) and there remains low-levels of economic regional integration across the Maghreb. Tensions in the relationship continue, for example in late 2021 Algeria closed the Maghreb-Spain gas pipeline, which passes through Morocco, following the expiry of a 25-year contract.

2. UK-Morocco trade and investment

The UK-Morocco Association Agreement underpins our trading relationship. The Agreement, which entered into effect on 1 January 2021, focusses heavily on goods trade but also has high-level provisions in other areas including services trade.

UK-Morocco bilateral trade in goods and services was worth £4.2 billion in 2024, with total UK exports to Morocco accounting for £1.6 billion, and imports from Morocco to the UK reaching £2.6 billion.

As Morocco looks to diversify its international partnerships, the Ministry for Industry and Trade has shared its ambition for the UK to become a top five trading partner for Morocco – a recognition that the UK is an increasingly important export market for the country.

UK commercial interest in Morocco has grown significantly since Morocco were announced as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Morocco view preparations for this tournament as an ‘accelerator’ of wider infrastructure development plans, worth up to £35 billion in procurement opportunities. In June 2025, the UK signed a Government-to-Government agreement with Morocco on the delivery of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, positioning the UK as a lead partner for Morocco on infrastructure delivery for the event.

UK presence in Morocco is steadily growing with significant opportunity for UK businesses across sectors, including in infrastructure, healthcare and education. See more on exporting to Morocco. Morocco continues to undertake an ambitious and wide-ranging programme of domestic reforms, which will bring investment and export opportunities in large infrastructure projects in rail, water, energy and more.

A Double Taxation Agreement (PDF, 130 KB) exists between Morocco and the UK.

3. Economic

Morocco continues to pursue economic reforms to enhance productivity and strengthen resilience to external shocks. These include the New Development Model (2021-2035), the Mohammed VI Investment Fund and the Social Protection Programme. In addition, the New Investment Charter launched in 2023 aims to attract $55 billion and create 500,000 jobs by 2026. GDP growth averaged 0.8% in 2022, and is expected to increase to 3.1% in 2023. Agriculture, phosphate exports, tourism and remittances are the main contributors to GDP. In 2021, Morocco had a GDP of $142.9 billion and a GDP per capita around $3,795.

Morocco continues to position itself as a major gateway into Africa, as well as Africa’s bridge into Europe. It also continues to build regional links through the TangerMed Port and Casablanca Finance City. Foreign Direct Investment flows into Morocco reached $1.64 billion in 2024 across a wide range of sectors including automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and tourism.

AMDIE, the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development, is responsible for the promotion of investment and exports, and works with the 12 Regional Investment Centres (CRIs) throughout the investment cycle. The CRIs are responsible for assessing investment applications and more information on this is available on the AMDIE website. AMDIE’s recent ‘Morocco Now’ campaign represents the latest push for further investment into Morocco. This includes a national commission that will review and approve investments of $25 million or more.

Morocco ranked 53rd in the World Bank’s 2020 “Doing Business” Index, an increase of seven places on 2019.  

4. Human rights

Morocco has acceded to the seven major UN Conventions on human rights, with some reservations on religious grounds. It has also ratified over 50 International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions on labour rights, including the convention on Freedom of Association.

The two decades of the current King’s rule have seen a strong focus on human rights, particularly social and economic rights. This includes access to greater political representation, and unilateral divorce in cases of abuse. Activists have commended reforms on good governance and freedoms, while calling for further action to implement the human rights guarantees provided under the revised 2011 Constitution. Recurring concerns relate to freedom of expression, particularly for dissenting voices in the media, civil society, and Western Sahara. Improving access and quality of education and addressing gender-equality are areas of ongoing focus for the Moroccan government. This includes increasing the participation of women in the workforce, as expressed in Morocco’s UN Universal Period Review submission in August 2022. Morocco’s National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) closely follows the country’s human rights progress and issues recommendations. The UK and Morocco share an informal bilateral human rights dialogue, the second iteration for this dialogue was held in April 2024.

5. Western Sahara

HMG does not provide legal advice to private companies and individuals in relation to their commercial activities. It is therefore for companies to take their own decisions on whether to do business in Western Sahara, as elsewhere.

Western Sahara is a UN Non-Self-Governing Territory with no defined Administering Power. The UK continues to support the UN to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.

The conduct of economic activities by Morocco in Western Sahara is not illegal, but as de facto administering power, in order to comply with international law, Morocco must ensure that economic activities under its administration are conducted to the benefit and in the interests of the people of Western Sahara. Such economic activities include the exploitation of natural resources.

We have a general and universal commitment to promoting responsible corporate behaviour by UK companies operating, or considering operating, overseas. This includes respect for the human rights of the people involved in or affected by their operations. The UK government is fully committed to implementing the UN Guiding Principles and refers you to the government webpage on business and human rights and, in particular, Part II of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights which address the “corporate responsibility to respect human rights”.

6. Bribery and corruption

In 2024, Morocco ranked 99th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) with a score of 37/100. Morocco lost one point compared to 2023. Corruption remains a major challenge in Morocco and an area of focus of the government, including better enacting legislation and creating a more attractive environment for investors. Measures include:

• adopting an ‘access to information’ law
• reforming government tender processes with a law requiring open bidding and
• creating a specialised unit working on money laundering

Visit the Business Anti-Corruption portal page for further information about handling corruption in Morocco and measures you can put in place to protect your company. Please also read the information provided on our Bribery and corruption page.

7. Terrorism threat

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Morocco.

Terrorism attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:   

• transport hubs
• locations popular with tourists and foreigners
• government buildings
• crowded places
• businesses with western interests

There is an increased threat linked to the number of Moroccans sympathetic or belonging to Daesh (formerly ISIL) and other extremist groups. Authorities regularly disrupt terrorist cells.

In some places, including hotels and tourist sites, there may be protective security measures, including security guards.

Please read further information provided on our Safety and Security page.

8. Protective Security Advice

The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure provides protective security advice to businesses.

Further information is provided on our protective security advice section of the FCDO Travel Advice for Morocco.

9. Intellectual Property

While Moroccan laws are generally adequate, enforcement is sometimes lacking. Morocco has a relatively complete regulatory and legislative system for the protection of intellectual property. It is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and is a party to several international conventions and agreements: Berne Copyright Convention for the Protection of Artistic and Literary Works; Paris Convention for Industrial Property; Brussels Satellite Convention; and Madrid, Nice, Hague Agreements for the Protection of Intellectual Property.

Counterfeiting of clothing, luggage and other consumer goods, as well as the illegal copying of computer software and artistic works, such as DVDs and CDs, frequently occur. The Moroccan government is already taking tough measures to combat the black market in response to calls from major players to crack down on smuggling and imitation products.

To help the enforcement of intellectual property rights, an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was signed in October 2011 by eight countries. These include Morocco, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the US. At an initial stage, it is essential for foreign companies to protect their trademarks in Morocco by applying for trademark protection with the Moroccan Office for Industrial and Commercial Property in Casablanca (Office Marocain de la Propriété Industrielle et Commerciale – OMPIC). Full details on how to proceed can be found in English on OMPIC’S website. The Moroccan Copyright Office in Rabat (Bureau Marocain Du Droit d’Auteur – BMDA), supervises copyright and related rights for literary and artistic works.

Read more information provided on protecting on our Intellectual Property page.

10. Organised crime

Morocco’s ratification of a number of international and regional agreements and conventions shows the country’s commitment to fight organised crime (drug trafficking, terrorism, illegal migration). On the fight against cyber-criminality, the Moroccan government has also taken measures to upgrade the relevant services. Drug trafficking (cannabis, cocaine) provides a profitable and thriving business between Morocco and southern Spain. However, organised crime presents no direct threat to UK businesses in Morocco.

Problems do occasionally arise with the export of textile goods: where items stolen from factories have previously turned up in local markets. The police do take action to confiscate the items when the thefts are reported, but their resale value is limited.

Read more information on our Organised crime page.

11. Contact

Contact the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team in Morocco for more information and advice on opportunities for doing business in Morocco.