As the implementation date for the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) approaches in 2026, Morocco is preparing its own carbon tax to anticipate the impact of this new regulation on its strategic sectors. The goal is to protect its exports while accelerating the transition to a more carbon-efficient production.
According to a report by the RES4Africa Foundation, released on September 3, the kingdom is expected to be exposed to only 0.3% of its GDP due to a diversified trade profile and early decarbonization efforts in key sectors such as phosphates, cement, steel, and aluminum.
The CBAM, which will impose a carbon price on imports of carbon-intensive products (steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity, hydrogen), will require European partners to rethink their production models. To address this, Morocco plans to introduce a national carbon tax starting in January 2026, with a gradual ramp-up over ten years.
The country has several advantages. Nearly 35% of its electricity already comes from solar and wind, with a target of 52% by 2030, according to IRENA. Moroccan cement has a lower carbon intensity than the European average, which could become a competitive edge. OCP has also announced a $13 billion plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
Morocco can also rely on its proximity to Europe and its electrical interconnections. Connected to the European grid via two underwater cables, the country aims to enhance its exchange capacities with Spain, Italy, Tunisia, and Greece, reaching nearly 19 GW of capacity and reducing up to 24 million tons of CO₂ annually.
In the industrial sector, the TATWIR – Green Growth program, endowed with one billion dirhams, supports SMEs in adopting carbon-efficient processes through innovation grants, tax incentives, and equity participation.
Finally, the report emphasizes the role of the Morocco-EU Green Partnership, established in 2022, which provides a framework to finance renewable projects and help Moroccan businesses adapt to the CBAM.
Through these initiatives, the kingdom hopes to turn a regulatory constraint into a competitive leverage and position itself as a key player in low-carbon production in the Euro-Mediterranean region.