Morocco remains classified as a moderate-risk country for money laundering, according to the 2025 Basel AML Index published by the Basel Institute on Governance. With a score of 5.04 out of 10, the country ranks 100th out of 177 jurisdictions assessed worldwide, placing it firmly in the index’s mid-risk category, which ranges from 4.70 to 6.08.
Compared to the previous year, Morocco’s score has worsened slightly, suggesting a growing vulnerability to financial crimes. Although the change isn’t drastic, it signals the need for continued vigilance and reform to strengthen safeguards against money laundering and related offenses.
Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which includes 15 countries, the average score stands at 5.49 – also within the moderate-risk range and showing an upward trend. However, the regional average hides stark contrasts. While some nations have made progress in improving transparency and anti-corruption efforts, others have seen setbacks due to weakened political and legal environments. These deteriorations have undercut the effectiveness of financial crime prevention mechanisms in several cases.
The report highlights that only 15% of MENA countries fall into the “lower-risk” category—a group Morocco does not belong to. This points to ongoing structural shortcomings in the region, including inadequate regulation, weak enforcement, and underdeveloped governance frameworks. For Morocco, it underscores persistent gaps in financial oversight and institutional capacity.
Amid tightening global scrutiny on suspicious financial flows, Morocco’s standing in the Basel AML Index serves as a timely reminder of the work still needed. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving institutional coordination, and ensuring more robust oversight will be essential to reduce long-term exposure to money laundering risks.
