Morocco’s Foreign Exchange Office has announced a major shake-up as part of its 2025–2029 strategy. The goal is faster services, clearer rules and stronger oversight.
The Office says the reorganisation will improve efficiency, transparency and support for businesses and the public.
A new department will help companies and operators handle foreign exchange procedures more quickly. Communication and user relations are also being upgraded to improve transparency and the overall experience.
At the centre of the reform is a move to “smart control”. Instead of strict blanket rules, the Office will rely on risk analysis and modern data tools to monitor financial operations. It is also improving how it produces and publishes statistics to meet international standards.
New units focused on data governance and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing have been created to protect information and ensure compliance with global rules.
Higher currency allowances and digital services
Director General Driss Benchikh presented the reform to business leaders alongside the new 2026 General Instruction of Foreign Exchange Operations.
The update increases foreign currency allowances. Business travel allowances have doubled to 1 million dirhams for most companies. Moroccan students abroad will now be allowed up to 15,000 dirhams per month to cover living costs.
The Office has also launched “OC E-Rendez-vous”, a digital appointment system designed to remove long waiting times and modernise services.
Officials say the changes will help Morocco integrate more deeply into the global economy by 2029.
Moving from strict control to risk monitoring
The reform marks a shift in Morocco’s approach to foreign currency. In the past, the Office tightly controlled access to foreign exchange to protect reserves. Now it plans to allow more transactions first and monitor them afterwards using data and analytics.
The move also strengthens Morocco’s anti-money laundering framework. The country left the FATF grey list in 2023 and faces a new evaluation in late 2026 focused on how rules are enforced.
Supporting business, students and the 2030 World Cup
The new rules aim to make Moroccan companies more competitive internationally by raising business travel and e-commerce allowances. Higher student allowances reflect rising living costs in Europe and North America.
Officials say a modern currency system will also be vital as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to bring millions of visitors and major investment.
Part of a wider regional trend
Morocco’s reforms mirror changes across the Middle East and North Africa, where countries are strengthening anti-money laundering systems ahead of new FATF standards in 2026.
Unlike sudden currency moves in some countries, Morocco is taking a gradual approach, giving businesses more freedom while keeping the dirham stable.
The creation of a data governance unit also reflects a global trend, as regulators adapt to fintech and the rise of crypto-assets.
