Rabat – Morocco’s system for maintaining strategic fuel reserves suffers from a series of structural weaknesses that could undermine the country’s energy security if global supply chains are disrupted, according to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE).
In its 2025 annual report, the advisory body warns that Morocco remains highly exposed to external shocks as geopolitical tensions, market volatility and supply chain disruptions become more frequent. It argues that the current reserve system is no longer suited to today’s risks and calls for a broad overhaul to strengthen the country’s ability to withstand future crises.
Petroleum products continue to dominate Morocco’s energy mix, accounting for 51% of total energy consumption in 2025. Diesel, gasoline and fuel oil consumption reached around 12.8 million tons during the year, with diesel alone representing nearly three-quarters of demand. The CESE expects overall fuel demand to rise by almost 16% by 2030.
The Council says Morocco’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products has become even more pronounced since the closure of the SAMIR refinery in 2015. Without domestic refining capacity, the country relies entirely on imported fuels, making it more vulnerable to disruptions in international markets and fluctuations in global prices.
Another concern raised in the report is the lack of consistent public information on reserve levels. Available data are published only occasionally and mainly come from older reports and scattered official figures. This makes it difficult to assess whether legal storage requirements are being met and limits visibility for businesses, policymakers and the public.
According to the CESE, the absence of reliable and continuous reporting increases uncertainty at a time when international supply chains have become increasingly fragile.
Outdated legal framework
The report says Morocco’s current model places responsibility for mandatory fuel stocks almost entirely on private operators, with no public strategic reserve in place.
While several countries also rely on private companies, many have adopted public or hybrid systems combining government storage with mandatory private reserves. The CESE notes that public involvement remains significant in many national systems.
It also argues that the legal framework governing fuel reserves has failed to keep pace with changing circumstances. The main legislation dates back to 1971, while several implementing texts were adopted in the 1970s and later amended only in a limited way.
The Council says the rules do not clearly distinguish mandatory emergency reserves from commercial operating stocks held by private companies, creating uncertainty over how reserves should be managed.
The CESE further points to shortcomings in oversight, saying inspections often rely on operators’ declarations instead of systematic on-site verification. Existing sanctions are also considered insufficient to ensure compliance.
To address these issues, the Council recommends updating the legal framework and establishing an integrated reserve system that combines dedicated public storage with mandatory private stocks.
It also calls for digital monitoring tools, stronger inspection powers for sworn inspectors, more effective penalties for non-compliance and regular independent evaluations to determine whether fuel reserve policies are improving supply security, stabilizing prices and protecting consumers’ purchasing power.
