Morocco Country Summary

FATF Status

Morocco is no longer on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies.

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The last follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Morocco was undertaken in 2024. According to that Evaluation, Morocco was deemed Compliant for 5 and Largely Compliant for 34 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was also deemed Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 1 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.

Morocco grapples with significant challenges related to crime and corruption, as systemic issues persist within its governmental and judicial frameworks. Despite the establishment of the National Authority for Probity, Prevention, and Fighting Corruption, and various legislative efforts aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability, corruption remains widespread, with a substantial portion of the population perceiving it as a prevalent issue in state institutions.

The country also faces a range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and financial crimes, often linked to organized criminal networks that have connections to political and administrative circles. While Morocco has made strides in combating organized crime and improving its cybersecurity infrastructure, the effectiveness of these measures is hindered by political interests and a focus on stability over the rule of law, leaving the nation vulnerable to ongoing criminal threats.

Morocco is strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, aiming to establish itself as a regional business and industrial hub by leveraging its political stability and advanced infrastructure. The government actively promotes foreign investment, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, renewable energy, and automotive, through favorable macroeconomic policies and a newly adopted Investment Charter that enhances incentives for investors. Despite challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption, Morocco's efforts to attract foreign direct investment have yielded positive results, with the country ranking fifth in Africa for FDI in 2022, although overall investment levels saw a slight decline from previous years.