Morocco Exits FATF ’Gray List’ as Anti-Money Laundering Efforts Intensify

One of the most striking facts is Morocco’s exit from the "gray list" of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in February 2023. This decision, as the report points out, "represents the culmination of national efforts mobilized." It constitutes international recognition of the country’s compliance with the applicable standards.

This improvement is concretely reflected in a significant increase in the number of cases handled. Between 2018 and 2023, this figure went from 59 to 821. A constant progression which, according to the report, demonstrates that the public prosecutor’s offices and judicial police services "now fully assume the role assigned to them."

At the same time, the number of judgments rendered has also experienced a sharp increase. While only 8 decisions had been handed down between 2008 and 2017, 134 were recorded for the year 2023 alone.

The effectiveness of justice is also measured by the conviction rate, which stands at 81%. The sentences handed down vary: 37% are between one and two years’ imprisonment, 35% are less than one year, while 19% of cases result in acquittal.

For the Moroccan public prosecutor’s office, this fight is an absolute priority, due to the "disastrous" consequences of money laundering on the social and economic levels. The objective is twofold: to prosecute the perpetrators and protect the national economy.

Inter-institutional cooperation is a key element of this strategy. A partnership with Bank Al-Maghrib, the central bank, made it possible to process 341 requests for information in 2023 thanks to a dedicated computer system.