(Ecofin Agency) - Corruption costs Morocco about $5.09 billion (50 billion dirhams) each year, making up between 3.5% and 6% of the country's GDP, according to Mohamed Bachir Rachdi, head of the National Authority for Integrity, Prevention, and Fight Against Corruption (INPPLC). He shared this alarming figure during a conference held on October 8, 2024.

According to local media, Rachdi revealed that 23% of Moroccan businesses fell victim to corruption last year. The issue mainly impacts processes like licensing, permits, public procurement, and hiring in key sectors vital to economic growth.

Moroccan authorities have implemented judicial measures to tackle this issue, including setting up a direct hotline to report corruption cases. This initiative has already led to the arrest of 243 people caught in the act and the filing of 716 financial crime cases in court. However, Rachdi emphasized that these efforts are not enough to curb the widespread problem.

Despite significant reforms, Morocco has struggled to improve its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking. In 2023, the country scored 38 out of 100, dropping from 73rd place in 2018 to 97th out of 180 countries.

Rachdi called for better coordination between national institutions, increased budget transparency, and the inclusion of specific anti-corruption measures in the budgets of various departments. He believes these reforms are crucial to Morocco's development and to restoring public and investor confidence in the country's institutions.