The Competition Council reviews the progress of liberalizing the electronic payment market in Morocco
The Competition Council held a critical meeting on May 13, 2025, with representatives from Bank Al-Maghrib, the National Payment Center, banking institutions, and electronic payment service providers. This meeting was part of implementing a plan to liberalize the electronic payment market, which aims to end the quasi-monopolistic situation that has characterized the sector for decades.
During this meeting, the Council monitored the implementation of commitments made in October 2024, which include structural and behavioral reforms imposed on the concerned parties, primarily the National Payment Center and the participating banks. This approach aims to enhance transparency and ensure fair pricing while allowing new players to enter the market starting May 2025, opening doors to a new competitive dynamic that contributes to the sector’s development and expands the range of services available to consumers.
The Council reported that it had received its first semiannual report covering the period from November 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, which outlined the progress made in fulfilling commitments. It praised the effective cooperation from all parties, which has led to a significant shift towards a more open and diverse model in the electronic acquisition market, without compromising the continuity or quality of services.
The National Payment Center is committed to transferring merchants’ contracts for card systems to new institutions and has ceased entering into new contracts since November 1, 2024. Additionally, it will transition to a neutral technical platform for processing transactions, ensuring fair and non-discriminatory access conditions for all players.
Banks have committed to granting full autonomy to their electronic payment branches and refraining from direct marketing of their offers, ensuring customer freedom of choice. They also confirmed their commitment not to interfere with the independence of payment institutions and to allow promotional activities within their branches without unfair competition influence.
The Competition Council emphasized the importance of the transitional phase, which extends until November 1, 2025, urging continued adherence to the timeline for implementing remaining commitments. It considers this transformation a pivotal moment in the history of the electronic payment market in Morocco, as it will significantly enhance innovation, reduce costs, and broaden consumer choices.
