Morocco’s road safety agency has signed a deal with delivery app Glovo to make motorcycle deliveries safer, as road deaths continue to increase.
The agreement was signed in Rabat between the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA) and GlovoApp Morocco, state news agency Maghreb Arab Press reported.
It comes as Morocco falls behind on its goal to cut road deaths in half by 2026.
In 2024, 4,024 people died in road crashes in Morocco. That was 5.37 percent more than in 2023.
The start of 2025 was even worse. In the first five months of the year, 1,624 people were killed, a rise of 20.9 percent compared with the same period in 2024.
Motorcycle riders are the hardest hit. They now make up about 43 percent of all road deaths in the country. Since 2015, deaths among motorcycle users have gone up by 63 percent.
Officials say it will be impossible to reach the 2026 target, fewer than 1,900 deaths a year, without dealing with the risks linked to the country’s 1.7 million motorcycles.
The deal was signed during a road safety meeting organised by NARSA with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and the World Health Organization.
Food and parcel delivery has grown fast since 2020, especially in cities like Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech.
Delivery riders are different from private riders. Many wear helmets because their company requires it. But they often use their phones while riding to check maps and orders. This can distract them.
They also work in busy areas and during rush hour, which increases the risk of crashes.
Under the deal, Glovo riders will receive more training. New tools will also be used to check how safely they ride.
Delivery companies will have to collect motorcycle licence plate numbers and share them with the authorities. Officials say this will make it easier to hold riders and companies responsible.
The agreement also includes safety campaigns, rewards for riders who follow the rules, and a road safety charter that sets clear standards.
There will also be special classes focused on how riders think and make decisions on the road.f
Urban areas such as Marrakech-Safi and Souss-Massa have seen sharp rises in deaths, largely linked to motorcycle use.
The government says this partnership could serve as a model. If it leads to fewer crashes among Glovo riders, similar rules could be introduced for other delivery companies.
