Morocco’s government has drawn a hard line in the sand against ride-hailing platforms, effectively halting their operations and handing a significant victory to the nation’s powerful taxi unions.
The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has ended weeks of speculation and tension by categorically refusing to issue permits for drivers using their personal vehicles for app-based transport services. The government’s reasoning is unambiguous: the service, as it currently exists, operates entirely outside the legal framework governing public passenger transportation.
In a terse statement, the ministry clarified its position: “Following information relayed by news websites… this department wishes to emphasize that the current legal and regulatory provisions governing road passenger transportation in our country do not include provisions clearly regulating this type of service.”
This decision formalizes a reality that has caused escalating conflict on the streets, pitting traditional taxi drivers against drivers for platforms operating in a legal grey area.
A Coordinated Government Stance
The ministry’s decision is not an isolated one. It’s part of a coordinated message from the highest levels of government, closing potential loopholes and reinforcing the authority of existing laws.
In a response to the Democratic Confederation of Transport, the ministry reiterated that public passenger transport is a regulated activity subject to prior authorization. This authorization is granted only to individuals or entities that are “legally organized” to perform this service.
The statement explicitly warns that any transport activity carried out without a license or using private vehicles “constitutes an offense punishable by penalties, whether financial fines or imprisonment.”
This stance is bolstered by the Ministry of the Interior, which has ultimate jurisdiction over urban transport. Abdessamad Kayouh’s office at the Ministry of Transport noted that “transport via apps mainly concerns the urban sector, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior.”
In July, at the peak of the crisis, Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit addressed the nation’s representatives, stating that transporting people “without legal authorization constitutes an illegal activity.” He warned that offenders are liable to “severe penalties” stipulated in key legislative texts, including Royal Decree №1.63.260 (on road transport) and Law №52.05 (the Highway Code).
Security services, in coordination with regional agencies, are reportedly already conducting campaigns targeting drivers using their private vehicles for unlicensed transport.
A Conflict of Two Models
The government’s intervention follows weeks of rising tensions, which in some cases have led to public clashes between taxi drivers and app-based drivers. The former accuse the latter of unfair competition, while the latter argue they are meeting a modern demand.
This standoff reveals a deeper malaise: a regulatory model that is out of step with technological developments and changing user expectations. The core of the conflict lies in the fundamental differences between the two business models.
- Taxis: A long-established profession governed by strict regulations. Fares are regulated, set by a taximeter based on mileage and time, and vary by city. Customers do not know the final price upon booking.
- Ride-Hailing (VTCs): In Morocco, these have operated without a specific legal status. Rates are set freely by the platforms and, crucially, are communicated to the customer at the time of booking.
This pricing and operational imbalance has fueled the anger of traditional taxi professionals, who feel undercut by an unregulated and, in the government’s view, illegal competitor.
Morocco’s Move Echoes Broader African Resistance
Morocco’s decision is the latest flashpoint in a continent-wide struggle between ride-hailing startups and established transport sectors.
In Senegal, the Economic Interest Group (GIE) of urban taxi drivers recently sued platforms like Yango, Yassir, and Heetch, accusing them of “operating completely illegally” and flouting all obligations imposed on transport operators. The unions’ case was strengthened by a 2024 decree requiring ride-hailing vehicles to be officially registered as VTCs (vehicles with driver).
This pattern of regulatory pushback is visible across the continent:
- Togo: Recently suspended the Russian-owned Yango, citing “considerable threats” to public safety, security risks, and a failure to comply with administrative procedures.
- Cameroon: Suspended Yango in early 2023 after intense protests from taxi unions over unfair competition.
- Algeria: Yango ultimately withdrew its services in August 2024, citing difficulties in navigating the complex regulatory landscape.
- Tunisia: The Estonian platform Bolt is currently suspended amid a major scandal involving allegations of money laundering, tax evasion, and operating without proper licenses.
The End of the Road, or a Temporary Detour?
For now, the Moroccan government’s position is clear: no legal framework, no connected transportation. The move brings immediate relief to taxi drivers.
However, in a market where demand for digital mobility continues to grow, the question remains how long this ban can hold. The country is expected to receive millions of visitors later this year for the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations. The challenge for Morocco, as for many other African nations, may be to find a balance.
Ride-hailing platforms offer undeniable benefits in convenience and efficiency, but local laws across Africa mostly require them to operate within a legal framework that addresses concerns about fair competition, safety, and the livelihoods of existing providers. As the ongoing battles from Dakar to Casablanca demonstrate, the road to integrating modern technology with traditional transport in Africa is set to be a bumpy one, with powerful taxi unions proving to be a formidable force in shaping the journey.