Morocco Faces Significant Gaps in Lobbying Regulation and Enforcement, OECD Report Reveals
A comprehensive report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has highlighted substantial shortcomings in Morocco’s regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms concerning lobbying activities. The “Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026: Morocco” report indicates that the nation currently meets a mere 20% of international criteria for lobbying regulation, with a concerning absence of effective enforcement.
This figure stands in stark contrast to the OECD averages, which show a 43% compliance with regulatory frameworks and 38% for enforcement across member countries. The report specifically points to a lack of a formalized system for identifying lobbying actors and activities. Furthermore, there are no explicit disclosure requirements for such engagements, nor is there a designated central authority tasked with monitoring compliance with any existing, albeit limited, regulations.
The absence of robust lobbying oversight raises concerns about transparency and the potential for undue influence in policy-making processes. Without clear guidelines and accountability, it becomes challenging to ensure that decisions are made in the public interest rather than being swayed by private agendas.
Conflict of Interest Rules: A Mixed Picture
While Morocco demonstrates a relatively strong regulatory framework for conflict-of-interest rules, meeting 78% of the criteria, its practical application falls considerably short. The report indicates that only 33% of these rules are effectively enforced in practice, compared to OECD averages of 80% for regulation and 45% for enforcement.
Legislation in Morocco does mandate that public officials declare their assets and outlines incompatible activities. However, the OECD report identifies a critical lack of clarity regarding specific conflict situations and the proportionality of sanctions to be applied in cases of violations.
The period between 2018 and 2023 saw the majority of government officials and parliamentarians submitting asset declarations. Despite this, structural deficiencies persist. These include the absence of a centralized database to manage these declarations and limited follow-up mechanisms to identify and address potential conflicts of interest. The report also notes that a significant number of non-compliant declarations are often rectified after an official notification is issued, suggesting a reactive rather than proactive approach to conflict management.
Political Finance: A Strong Performer
In a notable area of strength, Morocco’s performance in political finance regulation and enforcement is lauded in the OECD report. The country achieves 100% compliance with regulatory criteria and demonstrates full enforcement in practice, significantly outperforming OECD averages of 76% for regulation and 58% for enforcement.
Morocco’s framework effectively prohibits anonymous and foreign donations, sets clear limits on personal campaign contributions, and mandates that political parties submit both annual and electoral financial reports. The report found that all political parties adhered to these requirements. The Court of Accounts plays a crucial role in this domain, publishing financial reports on an accessible platform and possessing the authority to impose sanctions for any violations. This robust system ensures a high degree of transparency and accountability in the funding of political activities.
Access to Information: Progress and Persistent Gaps
Regarding access to information, Morocco presents a more nuanced picture. It meets 78% of the relevant regulatory criteria and achieves 54% in practical enforcement, against OECD averages of 72% and 62% respectively. The report acknowledges the existence of a comprehensive legal framework and ongoing digital transparency initiatives. These include the regular publication of government agendas, public tenders, and land registries, which contribute to greater public awareness and oversight.
However, significant gaps remain. The report highlights the lack of public access to senior officials’ asset declarations, which is a key component of transparency in public office. Furthermore, there is a deficiency in the availability of aggregated data on information requests made by the public, and consolidated versions of laws are not readily accessible. Addressing these areas would further strengthen Morocco’s commitment to open governance and citizen engagement.
The findings of the “Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026: Morocco” report underscore the urgent need for enhanced legislative and practical measures to bolster anti-corruption efforts, particularly in the critical areas of lobbying regulation and conflict-of-interest management, while acknowledging the country’s commendable achievements in political finance.
