Morocco's competition regulator fines fuel companies $180m

24 Nov 2023

Morocco's competition council said on Thursday, 23 November, it had fined the nine fuel companies operating in the country 1.84 billion dirhams ($180m) because of non-compliance with free competition rules and price fixing.

Image source: scyther5 – 123RF.com

The council said it had reached an agreement with the petrol and diesel companies and their professional groups to pay the fine collectively.

In October 2022, the council had issued a report on dysfunctions in the country's diesel and petrol market, where three companies have 60% market share.

It raised issues relating to price fixing, higher prices compared to international markets and non-compliance with legal provisions relating to storage.

In 2018, the largest fuel distribution company Afriquia, part of a AKWA group, owned by Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, was hit by a boycott by consumers who claimed it was charging too high prices.

Morocco has been importing all its refined energy products after its sole refiner went into liquidation in 2015.

Source: Reuters

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