Morocco slips to 99th in global anti-corruption rankings despite reform claims

Morocco has fallen two positions to 99th place out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), scoring 37 out of 100 points. This decline continues a downward trend that began after the country's peak performance in 2018, when it ranked 73rd globally with 43 points.

The latest ranking shows Morocco losing one point from its 2023 score of 38/100. Within the Arab world, Morocco maintains eighth position, ahead of Algeria (107th), Egypt (130th), Mauritania (130th), and Iraq (140th). The United Arab Emirates leads regional rankings at 23rd place globally with 68 points, followed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia sharing 38th position with 59 points each, and Oman at 50th with 55 points.

Despite the declining international ranking, government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas announced in January that 76% of the objectives outlined in Morocco's National Anti-Corruption Strategy have been achieved. The country has implemented several key measures, including adopting a Public Services Code to enhance transparency in public administration, simplifying administrative procedures, and introducing new public procurement regulations to improve oversight of government contracts and spending.

Morocco's anti-corruption efforts received international recognition this month with its re-election to the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA). Mohamed Bachir Rachdi, President of the National Authority for Integrity, Prevention, and the Fight Against Corruption (INPPLC), will represent the country in this role.

According to World Bank estimates, corruption costs Morocco approximately MAD 39 billion ($3.9 billion) annually. The country's legal framework includes ten articles in the Moroccan Penal Code specifically addressing corruption and influence trafficking, with penalties ranging from two to ten years imprisonment and fines between MAD 2,000 ($200) and MAD 100,000 ($10,000), depending on the offense severity.

The corruption challenge spans multiple sectors, including health, real estate, justice, and military. While Morocco has established institutional frameworks to combat corruption, including the INPPLC as mandated by the 2011 Constitution, Transparency International's latest ranking suggests that more substantial reforms may be needed to reverse the country's declining performance in global corruption metrics.