Morocco Competition Council faces role expansion to protect purchasing power

The Moroccan Competition Council is being positioned as a critical institution to safeguard the national economy and citizen purchasing power amidst significant economic shifts. According to Dr. Mohammed Bencadour, founding president of the National Federation of Consumer Protection Associations in Morocco, the Council must transition from a theoretical regulatory authority to a decisive actor capable of enforcing strict economic logic.

The Council’s mandate involves three primary strategic pillars: enforcement, prevention, and consultation. In its enforcement role, the body is tasked with monitoring and prosecuting anti-competitive practices, such as price-fixing, market sharing, and the abuse of dominant positions, to protect local small and medium-sized enterprises.

In its preventive capacity, the Council evaluates mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures to prevent the formation of excessive monopolies that could restrict fair competition. Finally, its consultative role involves providing guidance to the government and legislative bodies regarding laws and regulations to ensure effective public policy and market stability.