Morocco’s Interior Minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, announced on Wednesday sweeping reforms to the Kingdom’s public transport sector ahead of the AFCON 2025 and 2030 FIFA World Cup, he told the Upper House.
Laftit said that he is planning to end long-standing inefficiencies and irregularities. However, he did not specify what the irregularities in the sector were.
The minister underscored that Morocco must modernize its transport infrastructure to align with global standards, particularly as it prepares to host major international sporting events. He pointed at the “disorderly practices by some taxi drivers” as no longer acceptable, especially in key tourist hubs like Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, and Fez.
According to Laftit, the government is currently studying the possibility of replacing the existing system with a smart application-based model, similar to ride-hailing services.
However, priority will be given to current taxi drivers, provided they enroll in the national social security system, ensuring their access to retirement benefits and healthcare coverage.
The most radical shift in the sector could come from the potential abolition of the long-criticized “grants” (commonly referred to as “Lagrima” from the French word “Agrément”) system, which has hindered development for decades, Laftit said.
While the minister did not explicitly confirm this change, his remarks suggested that taxi permits, often awarded as privileges in the past and inherited by beneficiaries, may soon be permanently revoked—especially as many original recipients have since passed away.
These reforms signal a major transformation in Morocco’s urban transport landscape, as the country shifts focus toward creating a more structured and equitable system that meets the needs of both workers and passengers.