# Moroccan financial and payment system developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/moroccan-financial-and-payment-system-developments
> Updated: 2026-10-04T12:00:12.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

Morocco has implemented domestic reforms to improve payment efficiency and reduce transaction costs. Reports from the Observatoire des Délais de Paiement indicate that average payment delays for public procurement decreased to 16.2 days in 2025. Furthermore, Bank Al-Maghrib announced that starting October 1, 2026, the cap on interchange fees for domestic card payments will be reduced from 0.65% to 0.50%, with a 0.15% cap for government payments and local proximity commerce.

Expanding on these financial developments, Bank Al-Maghrib and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates signed two memorandums of understanding in Abu Dhabi to enhance banking cooperation. These agreements focus on regulatory and supervisory coordination, including Sharia governance for cross-border Islamic finance. The partnership also aims to develop payment infrastructure by exploring the interconnection of instant payment platforms, national card switching systems, and financial messaging systems to facilitate faster cross-border settlements.

## Claims

- Bank Al-Maghrib and the Central Bank of the UAE signed two memorandums of understanding in Abu Dhabi. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The first memorandum focuses on strengthening cooperation in regulatory and supervisory areas, including the exchange of information regarding financial institutions. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The agreements include enhancing coordination in Sharia governance for Islamic finance and developing cross-border Sharia-compliant financing. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The second memorandum explores interconnecting instant payment platforms, national card switching systems, and financial messaging systems. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The partnership aims to allow the mutual acceptance of local payment cards between Morocco and the UAE. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The central banks will exchange expertise regarding the development and use of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The cooperation extends to fintech, regulatory frameworks for virtual assets, including crypto-assets and stablecoins. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-04: Morocco and UAE sign agreements to link payment systems

Morocco and the UAE have signed two agreements to enhance banking cooperation, focusing on payment system interconnection, Islamic finance, and the development of central bank digital currencies.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morocco-and-uae-central-banks-sign-financial-cooperation-agreements

### 2026-09-28: Morocco reports improved payment delays and lower card fees

Morocco reports improved public and private payment timelines and announces a reduction in domestic card interchange fees to 0.50% starting October 2026.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morocco-reports-improved-payment-delays-and-lower-card-fees

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Cite as: Moroccan financial and payment system developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/moroccan-financial-and-payment-system-developments