Morocco Corruption Report

Morocco’s police sector is rife with corruption and impunity, and this has resulted in limited police effectiveness and respect of the rule of law. Almost four in every ten households surveyed report having paid a bribe to the police during 2015 (TI 2016). There were several reports of abuse and impunity among the ranks of officers and civilian authorities were not effectively controlling the security forces (HRR 2015). Investigations are carried out, yet they seldom result in criminal proceedings or even disciplinary action (HRR 2015). Local and foreign NGOs report that authorities often dismissed complaints and relied solely on the version of events (HRR 2015). Almost eight in ten citizens perceive the police to be corrupt, while almost one-third of Moroccans do not trust the police (GCB 2013, Afrobarometer 2013). Businesses find the police to be moderately reliable in protecting companies from crime and enforcing the law (GCR 2015-2016).

On a more positive note, successful prosecution of police corruption has been reported. In one case, two highway policemen were sentenced in early 2015 to one month of imprisonment and fined USD 200 after being caught on tape accepting a bribe from a tourist (HRR 2015). Another officer, also video-filmed taking a bribe from a driver in Casablanca is released on bail and will stand trial in October 2016 (DW, Sep. 2016). These cases, triggered national security authorities to equip police officer’s helmets with small video cameras, and shortly after, members of the royal guard in Rabat also followed suit (DW, Sep. 2016). The outcome of these measures has, however, yet to be documented.

Corruption may be a problem within Morocco’s customs administration due to the occurrence of irregular payments in the process of importing and exporting (GETR 2014). Inefficient administration and corruption are, in effect, cited as the two major impediments to foreign trade (BTI 2016). The government eased trading across borders by reducing the number of documents required to export goods, so the average time and cost required to trade across Morocco’s borders are lower than the regional average (DB 2016). Businesses can access online customs services on the Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes site.

The public procurement sector carries high corruption risks for business. Bribes and irregular payments are often exchanged in return for obtaining public contracts and licenses (GCR 2015-2016). Companies in Morocco indicate that public funds are sometimes diverted to companies, individuals or groups due to corruption, and government officials tend to show favoritism when deciding policies and contracts (GCR 2015-2016). Companies utilizing local content or establishing local production facilities are more likely to win public contracts (ICS 2016). The country’s procurement sector is also plagued by patronage, and market competition is distorted by interference – especially by the royal family and the elite that control much of Morocco’s economy. Companies controlled by these groups are more likely to be awarded government contracts (BTI 2014), so businesses are recommended to use a specialized public procurement due diligence tool to reduce corruption risks related to public procurement in Morocco.

The Government of Morocco passed two public procurement decrees in 2014 incorporating international best practice in the sector (PPRiM 2014). The reforms include creating a central public procurement policymaking body, establishing a national procurement training strategy, and developing a new national e-procurement system to simplify procurement procedures (PPRiM 2014). The decrees also provide for the creation of the ‘Commission Nationale de la Commande Publique’ (CNCP), an independent body responsible for handling company grievances. Unsuccessful bidders can instigate an official review of procurement decisions and can challenge procurement decisions in court. The government has also attempted to increase procurement transparency through the decentralization of the process, however, these reforms have seen limited implementation (ICS 2016).

The Government of Morocco has been criticized for a lack of effective resource governance, which has been mainly linked to an incomplete regulatory framework and insufficient disclosure policies (NRGI). Morocco is the world’s largest exporter of phosphate, which is an industry controlled by the royal family and by the elite who monopolize larger, multi-sector industries and who are close associates of the monarch. These influential families enjoy undue advantages as they are most likely to win public bids and contracts, and they enjoy immunity for corrupt practices (BTI 2012). Corruption is also rampant in Morocco’s sand quarrying industry, which is generally controlled by well-connected people with privileged access to natural resources (Morocco News Board, Feb. 2013).