Morocco

The period of easily raising funds from abroad seems to be coming to an end for emerging markets around the world. In the new environment of higher interest rates in the US and increased competition for capital flows, portfolio managers are becoming more selective with where they place their money.

Once reserved for ambitious start-ups and industry-leading tech operators, financial technology (fintech) has more recently caught the attention of major private sector firms and government planners alike, becoming a regular feature in budget speeches and strategic development plans. As fintech progressively plays a larger part in the lives of...

Looking to diversify trade relations outside its traditional area of focus, Morocco has taken steps to deepen its relationship with the continent in general. Moroccan trade with Africa was worth Dh37.3bn (€3.35bn) in 2017, according to latest full year data from the Office des Changes, equivalent to 5.4% of the value of the kingdom’s total...

Compared to most of its regional peers, Morocco’s banking sector has achieved a high level of sophistication. This has translated into high penetration rates for financial services, regional expansion of major banks and the development of services targeting lower-income populations. These factors have allowed the country’s financial system to...

A number of factors have helped to push inward investment into Morocco upward. However, officials are interested in continuing the trend by promoting regulatory reform and increasing the country’s position on key global rankings.

With a network comprised of 19 banks, 6388 branches and 7235 ATMs, the Moroccan banking sector is among the most structured in its region. However, with a banking penetration rate of 56% – versus the global average of 62% – there is still ample room for improvement. In recognition of the need to boost financial inclusion, Bank Al Maghrib (BAM...