# Bank Al-Maghrib digital payment initiatives

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bank-al-maghrib-digital-payment-initiatives
> Updated: 2026-10-21T18:03:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) has implemented several measures to modernize Morocco’s payment ecosystem and encourage the adoption of electronic transactions.

In early October 2026, the central bank reduced the maximum commission cap for domestic card transactions from 0.65% to 0.5%. To further incentivize digital use, a lower rate of 0.15% was established for electronic government services and transactions with local neighborhood businesses.

A 2025 annual report from the central bank noted increased resilience in financial market infrastructures and the implementation of an ISO 20022-compliant Real-Time Gross Settlement system. While instant, card, and mobile payments have grown, the report observed that electronic payments have not yet replaced physical cash for small-value daily transactions. To address this, BAM is executing a payment methods development strategy for 2024–2028 and established a fund to promote electronic payment acceptance.

The 2025 annual report highlights a dual trend of increasing cash usage alongside significant growth in digital payment methods. Physical currency in circulation rose 15.5% from the previous year, reaching 513 billion dirhams by the end of December 2025. During that year, the central bank issued approximately 800 million new banknotes, with 200-dirham notes making up 50% of the total distribution.

Simultaneously, digital and scriptural transactions expanded. Bank card operations grew by 20% in volume, totaling 230.1 million transactions valued at 70.8 billion dirhams. While card-based payments rose to 34% of total card operations, cash withdrawals via cards remain the most frequent activity. Other segments also showed progress: electronic payment terminal (TPE) transactions increased by 20%, e-commerce payments grew by 16% in volume, and mobile wallet usage reached 16.4 million wallets, though merchant payments via mobile wallets remain below 1%.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: Bank Al-Maghrib reports rising cash circulation and digital payment growth

Bank Al-Maghrib's 2025 report shows Morocco's cash circulation rose 15.5% to 513 billion dirhams, even as digital payments, card transactions, and e-commerce see significant growth.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bank-al-maghrib-releases-2025-report-on-financial-market-infrastructure

### 2026-10-07: Bank Al-Maghrib reduces card payment commissions to 0.5%

Bank Al-Maghrib is reducing the maximum commission cap for Moroccan bank card payments to 0.5% starting October 2026 to encourage electronic transactions.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bank-al-maghrib-reduces-card-payment-commissions-to-05

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Cite as: Bank Al-Maghrib digital payment initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bank-al-maghrib-digital-payment-initiatives