Regional disparities may weigh on Moroccan recovery

Significance

The country has been gradually rolling out reforms over several years as part of a new phase of decentralisation aimed at fuelling dynamism and growth, although these and previous devolution efforts have shown mixed results at best, and have in some ways served to exacerbate interregional inequalities.

Impacts

• Plans to devolve further fiscal and administrative powers may be pushed back again as attention is diverted by the pandemic.
• The impact of the loss of tourism income will be felt unequally across different regions.
• Efforts to jump on a European nearshoring push may lead to disproportionate investment in wealthy areas with an established industrial base.