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Rabat – Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit has shed new light on the long-standing controversy in Morocco between traditional taxi services and ride-hailing apps, hinting that digital-based transportation services are no longer avoidable in the move towards a new transportation system in the country.
Speaking during the weekly oral questions session in the House of Representatives, Laftit stressed that Morocco will have transport applications, noting that “ we cannot fail to keep up with the times,” a statement widely interpreted as confirmation that ride-hailing apps are moving toward legalization.
For several years, Morocco has been faced with a dilemma between traditional taxi services and ride-hailing services.
Platforms such as Uber had started offering their services in major cities in the country. However, this was followed by protests from taxi operators, as well as the lack of a clear framework for their operation, leading to the shutdown of their services in 2018.
Since this time, the phenomenon of ride-hailing services has remained in Morocco in a legal gray zone, and without legal recognition, widely used by citizens but officially unrecognized by authorities.
This situation has left passengers without clear protections and drivers without legal status. At present, there are approximately 77,200 taxis nationwide, ranging from small to large taxis, with the number of taxi drivers estimated at about 180,000.
Although this industry has important social and economic importance, it has been facing growing regulatory scrutiny.
In 2025, there were over 5,000 offenses recorded on the part of taxi drivers, accompanied by the revocation of at least 1,500 professional licenses.
Read also: Morocco Reports Nearly 5,000 Taxi Violations as Authorities Push for Sector Reform
These statistics indicate the efforts of the Ministry of Interior to apply the law and upgrade the level of services; nevertheless, they can be seen as symptoms of the deeper problems existing within the structure of the institution.
Laftit recognized the fact that the taxi industry is experiencing severe structural problems that target both users and professionals.
He emphasized the need for future policies to consider the fact that high-quality public transport and digital mobility platforms are becoming an inevitability.
His reference to transport apps was interpreted as a strong indication that legalization is no longer a question of “if,” but of “how.”
Ride-hailing apps have numerous advantages. For customers, they provide faster services, transparent fees, cashless transactions, and the ability to track the location of the cab using GPS services, also considered an added safety measure.
For cities struggling with congestion and uneven taxi coverage, apps can help optimize traffic flow and accessibility of services, especially during peak periods and in underserved areas.
However, the risks are equally real. The absence of regulation can result in ride-hailing services putting the safety of consumers at risk due to the absence of background checks, insurance, and car checks.
Without regulation, ride-hailing can raise serious safety concerns, including the lack of background checks, insurance coverage, and vehicle inspections.
There are also social risks, as unregulated competition can undermine the livelihoods of licensed taxi drivers who operate under strict rules, fixed tariffs, and costly permits.
The government has always indicated that regulation should not be at the expense of labor and safety. Laftit said the government is conducting a nationwide strategic study, covering all regions, to account for Morocco’s diverse realities.
The aim is to introduce a unified law that balances innovation with fairness, improves service quality for citizens, and preserves the dignity and income of transport professionals. If successful, the reform could mark a turning point in how Moroccans move through their cities in the digital age.
