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Over the past 15 years Morocco has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with some of the largest economies in the world. This has impacted the kingdom’s trade figures, though in some cases it has also been followed by increases in trade deficits with these partners. The next major accord Morocco is likely to sign is a Deep and Comprehensive FTA...

Among the best-developed banking sectors in Africa is that of Morocco, where penetration is rising rapidly and recent improvements in macroeconomic fundamentals have helped resolve previous liquidity shortages. The sector’s product offering also continues to evolve, most notably through a banking law passed in early 2015, which has set the...

By regional standards, Moroccan banks have substantial lending capacity. The kingdom is home to some of the largest banks in Africa: Attijarawafa Bank is the continent’s third-largest, and its three biggest banks are also the three largest in North Africa by tier-1 capital. Credit extended to the local private sector was equal to 70.1% of GDP...

Of all the measures included in the new banking law – which came into force in February 2015 and is designed to enhance sector stability (see overview) – those that have received the most attention have to do with developing the kingdom’s Islamic banking segment. Since 2007, Moroccan banks and insurers have been allowed to offer three Islamic...