Morocco Modernizes Utility Bill Payments: New System Launches January 2024

As of January 1, 2024, water and electricity distributors will cover the payment fees for bills through alternative collection channels (alternative payment methods). Thus, the distributor will bear a rate and a rate of 1.5 DH excluding tax per transaction for the digital payment channel, a rate and a rate of 1.25 DH excluding tax per transaction for the physical payment channel, a rate and a rate of 0.75% excluding tax per transaction for the local bank card payment channel and a rate and a rate of 0.75% excluding tax per transaction for the bank card payment channel on POS, reports Challenge.ma. The international bank card payment channel is, for its part, excluded. A transaction corresponds to a maximum of four (4) invoices, whether they are combined or separate, it is specified. As for the payment of services, it must be made within a maximum of 30 days from the date of presentation of the invoice.

This change in the payment of water and electricity bills follows circular no. 16263/2/15 of September 19, 2023 issued by the Minister of the Interior on the elimination of payment fees for water and electricity bills, as well as the development of alternative collection channels. In accordance with this circular, the distributors are responsible for fully assuming these costs, following negotiations with various stakeholders, including the Professional Group of Moroccan Banks (GPBM), Banks and the Interbank Monetary Center (CMI).

In circular no. 1017 dated December 26, 2023, Mustapha El Habti, governor director of local public networks at the Ministry of the Interior, addresses a letter on the coverage of the payment fees for water and electricity bills through alternative collection channels to the general managers of the autonomous water and electricity distribution agencies across Morocco. He invites them to undertake the necessary administrative and technical actions to finalize the contractual procedures with the CMI and other service providers, and to implement these provisions as of January 1, 2024, in accordance with the guidelines of the Competition Council. He also asked them to take all appropriate measures to accelerate the implementation of the State’s strategic vision in terms of modernizing management, dematerialization, digitalization and development of remote services, the ultimate goal being to ensure better quality of service to customers and further improve collection performance.