Morocco Tightens Regional Investment Rules as $4.5 Billion Project Pipeline Advances - fundsforNGOs News

Morocco has tightened rules governing its Regional Investment Centers (CRIs) and unified regional investment commissions as it pushes forward a pipeline of projects worth nearly $4.5 billion (42 billion Moroccan dirhams). The regulatory changes were formalized in a decree published in the Official Gazette on July 30, 2026, and follow the National Investment Commission’s approval on July 2 of 29 draft investment agreements and nine amendments under the country’s main investment-support mechanism.

"By tightening investment procedures while expanding its project pipeline, Morocco is seeking to create a more predictable environment for investors and accelerate the implementation of projects that could contribute to industrial development, job creation and regional economic growth," the reform documentation states.

The decree updates the 2019 framework for Regional Investment Centers and Regional Unified Investment Commissions and explicitly subjects CRIs to Morocco’s public procurement rules introduced in March 2023. It also establishes a ministerial appeals commission chaired by the prime minister, supported by a technical commission to review cases. The Investment Ministry will manage the secretariat, receive appeals and communicate decisions, creating a clearer procedural path for investors contesting regional rulings.

Details of the approved pipeline

The 42 billion dirhams approved on July 2 span 13 sectors across six regions and are expected to generate approximately 9,800 jobs, of which about 2,400 are projected to be direct positions and 7,400 indirect. Agribusiness accounts for the largest share of expected employment, followed by chemicals and aeronautics. Other sectors represented in the pipeline include tourism, port infrastructure, logistics, telecommunications, waste processing and renewable energy.

• 29 draft investment agreements and nine amendments approved on July 2 totaling ~42 billion dirhams (~$4.5 billion)
• Expected employment: ~9,800 jobs (≈2,400 direct, ≈7,400 indirect)
• Sectors: agribusiness, chemicals, aeronautics, tourism, ports, logistics, telecoms, waste processing, renewable energy
• Geographic spread: six regions, including provinces such as Al Haouz, El Jadida, Moulay Yacoub, Nador, Rehamna and Taroudant

Separately, Morocco has approved strategic investments under a distinct framework: three strategic investment agreements worth 8.4 billion dirhams are expected to create more than 2,700 direct jobs in electric vehicles, aeronautics and textiles across the Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Fez-Meknes and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima regions. In addition, three other projects granted strategic status represent nearly 29 billion dirhams and are expected to deliver more than 1,100 direct jobs.

Outlook

The decree aims to strengthen transparency and administrative clarity at the regional level by standardizing how investment agreements are signed—requiring the participation of regional governors, representatives of the Economy and Finance Ministry, relevant government departments and investors. Since the Investment Charter became operational in 2023, authorities report 391 investment agreements worth a combined 520 billion dirhams have been signed, underscoring the government’s drive to channel investment beyond traditional industrial hubs and toward more balanced regional development.