Etisalat Considers Exiting Morocco After Maroc Telecom Hit with $645 Million Fine

6.368 billion Moroccan dirhams (about $645 million). This is the heavy financial penalty that the Casablanca Court of Appeal has imposed on Maroc Telecom, in favor of Wana, also known under the Inwi brand. Since 2021, the historical operator has been accused of monopolistic practices. This fine exceeds Maroc Telecom’s profits for 2023, which amounted to 6.1 billion dirhams. In 2020, IAM had been fined 3.3 billion dirhams for abuse of a dominant position.

Jassim Mohammed Bu Atabah Al Zaabi, chairman of Eand’s board, is annoyed by this new fine. He believes that the regulatory environment in Morocco heavily penalizes the group’s investments in digital infrastructure and smart solutions. The official stated that Eand intends to challenge this fine before the competent courts.