UK eyes Morocco’s public procurement market

This update focuses on UK Morocco public procurement. The United Kingdom is formally turning its attention to public procurement in Morocco and exploring a new framework within its association agreement with the Kingdom.

UK Morocco public procurement under review

British authorities are assessing the option of adding a specific chapter on public procurement to the association agreement that has linked the UK and Morocco since 2021.

The move is still exploratory. London first wants to understand how British firms currently bid for Moroccan public contracts and where they face obstacles.

A public consultation has been opened for UK-based companies. It gathers their concrete experiences, difficulties and expectations regarding access to public tenders in Morocco.

The consultation is available online until 11 September. The British government stresses that no negotiation calendar has been set. Any next step will depend on the feedback collected and future talks with the Moroccan side.

A £33 billion market in sight

Behind this listening exercise lies a major commercial stake. London estimates that Morocco’s public procurement market could reach around £33 billion over the coming years.

This is equivalent to roughly 415 billion dirhams. Infrastructure, equipment and public services are seen as the main segments, at the heart of Morocco’s ongoing modernisation.

For now, British companies access these contracts mainly under Moroccan law and existing practice. There are no specific international commitments between Rabat and London on public procurement.

It is this gap that the UK is examining. A dedicated chapter in the association agreement could create clearer rules, mutual commitments and a legally defined framework for taking part in Moroccan tenders.

What does it mean for Moroccans abroad?

For Moroccans living in the UK or elsewhere, the potential impact is mostly indirect, but it matters for those doing business across borders.

If a new chapter is eventually negotiated and signed, it could:

• clarify conditions for UK firms bidding on Moroccan public projects;
• encourage partnerships between Moroccan and British companies, including those founded by Moroccans abroad;
• create opportunities in infrastructure, services and engineering in Morocco;
• raise the profile of Moroccan reforms among investors based in London.

For Moroccan entrepreneurs in the UK, a more structured framework could make it easier to build joint ventures. They could act as local partners, technical operators or investors in public projects back home.

At this stage, nothing has been agreed. British authorities still describe this as a listening phase. The scope, timing and content of any future chapter will depend on bilateral talks.

An association agreement still evolving

The association agreement between Morocco and the UK has governed their trade relations since 2021, following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

It already covers several areas, but not public procurement in detail. The current initiative would therefore complement the existing framework, not replace it.

For Moroccans living abroad, changes in agreements between Rabat and its partners are worth tracking. They can shape investment plans, partnerships and economic returns to the home country over time.

For now, the British consultation focuses on gathering information. No political decision has been announced on the future of this file.

Moroccans interested in official updates and schemes dedicated to overseas citizens can monitor the competent authorities’ portals, alongside future announcements from both governments.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.