Morocco reforms Regional Investment Center rules to bolster governance

Morocco has formalized new regulations governing its Regional Investment Centers (CRIs) and the Regional Unified Investment Commissions (CRUIs) through Decree No. 2.26.564. The reform aims to strengthen the legal and administrative framework for the country’s growing investment pipeline, which recently included approximately $4.5 billion in approved projects across 13 sectors.

Key changes include subjecting the CRIs to Morocco’s March 2023 public-procurement rules, which clarifies their legal status and enhances expenditure traceability. The decree also introduces new mechanisms for handling investor disputes, most notably the creation of a ministerial appeals commission chaired by the Prime Minister.

Additionally, the reform increases oversight of the CRUI by requiring its internal regulations to be approved by supervisory authorities. The new framework also clarifies the process for signing investment agreements at the regional level, involving regional governors, representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and relevant sectoral ministries.