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The Open Government Review of Morocco is the first of its kind analysing a country’s open government policies and practices and their institutional and legal frameworks for implementation against OECD instruments. By bringing together a multitude of OECD instruments and expertise in different areas of public governance, the Review provides Moroccan policy makers, public sector officials and civil society activists with practical indications on how to improve and successfully implement their national open government agenda. In addition, the Review contains a list of recommendations on which to build Morocco’s Action Plan for the Open Government Partnership.

The process of political liberalisation in Morocco largely preceded the so-called Arab Spring. Unlike most Arab countries, Morocco had set up a multiparty system following its national independence in 1956. Since then, the recognition of political pluralism was linked to the central position of the Monarchy, a fundamental factor in Moroccan politics due to the executive, legislative and judicial powers assigned to the King Mohamed VI. The Moroccan political system strikes a delicate balance between tradition and modernity. The traditional practice of political and economic power by the monarchy through a diffuse network of notables (the Makhzen, always present in political studies Morocco) was gradually adapted to the institutions of a modern constitutional system, yet without disappearing.

Given the importance of the state budget to direct government policies, budget transparency is a crucial aspect of Open Government. The OECD has developed principles for budget transparency and best practices for the budget preparation process. The chapter assesses budget transparency in Morocco against these principles and standards, starting with an overview of the gradual reforms over the last decade which were brought together in a new Budget law, presently waiting for approval. The section includes Morocco’s performance on the Open Budget Survey and an assessment of Morocco’s institutions in support of transparent financial management. The recommendations point to reforms that could further strengthen budget transparency in Morocco and consolidate the efforts undertaken.

ICTs can be an important lever to Open Government creating innovative opportunities to increase participation and transparency. Morocco is currently implementing its e-government strategy and aims to increase the use of ICTs for the public sector. This chapter looks at the contribution to Open Government objectives of the growing use of e-government tools. It contains an overview and assessment of the policy and institutional framework for the use of ICTs for Open Government vis-à-vis OECD best practices. The state of art of digital citizenship and social media use in Morocco are explored, as well as the potential role that Morocco’s ICT business sector can play. Further, Morocco’s use of ICTs to better tailor the delivery of public services and enhance their transparency is assessed. A series of proposals and recommendations in service of a better ICT use for Open Government concludes the chapter.

This OECD Open Government Review (OGR) is based on the OECD Peer Review methodology. The application of the inclusive and consultative process of providing peer assessment and advice was initiated in this instance following a request by Morocco for support in the design and implementation of Open Government reforms. This request was built, firstly, in the context of Morocco’s participation in the MENA-OECD Governance Programme, aimed at supporting policy dialogue between MENA and OECD countries and public governance reforms in the MENA region, including the OECD Open Government Project, and, secondly, on the basis of Morocco’s intention to join the Open Government Partnership.

This chapter deals with the fundamental role played by citizen’s involvement in shaping government decision-making, which is a core component of Open Government. It presents the OECD approach to Open Government and analyses the evolution of citizen’s involvement in Morocco, looking into the two waves of reform that took place respectively before and after the Arab Spring. The assessment includes various aspects of citizen’s engagement such as access to information, civil society in Morocco, as well as the national dialogues, which were conducted to implement citizens’ participation. The opportunities of using ICTs to foster participation are equally outlined. The recommendations call for strengthened efforts to implement the principles of the new Constitution which define Morocco as a participatory democracy.

This chapter clarifies the key functions of the Centre of Government and its role in leading major reforms across the whole administration and different authorities towards the promotion of Open Government. An assessment of the CoG in Morocco is carried out through an overview of Morocco’s legal, policy and institutional frameworks for Open Government in light of, among other things, the recent constitutional reform and legislative developments that have followed the Arab Spring. Based on the experience of OECD countries, recommendations are set forth to establish a sound policy framework and to tackle effectively the different challenges faced by Morocco’s public governance structure for Open Government.

In order to join the OGP, aspiring members need to obtain 12 points of the 16 available in the OGPs Minimum Eligibility Criteria. Morocco currently has 11 points and needs 1 more to become eligible. To achieve this, Morocco has several options in the areas of: Access to Information, Disclosures Related to Elected or Senior Public Officials and Citizen Participation.

Open Government policies have gained importance in public governance reforms worldwide. Building transparent and participative governments can be a lever for inclusive growth and will help countries address the crisis of trust in government. Involving citizens in the policymaking cycle allows tailoring public services, while transparency and public scrutiny support the fight against corruption. Governments worldwide are experimenting with Open Government policies, establishing partnerships with civil society and using ICTs to develop innovative approaches.

Integrity and the fight against corruption have gained importance in Morocco in recent years and following the Arab Spring which resulted in the establishment of new institutions and legal frameworks. This chapter analyses Morocco’s integrity framework in relation to OECD standards and principles. It includes an overview of the legal and institutional setting underpinning Morocco’s strategy on integrity and fight against corruption and its evolution brought by the 2011 constitutional reform. In line with Open Government principles, it discusses how civil society can play a greater role in improving integrity and how ICTs can serve this purpose. The recommendations point towards the need of co-ordination and consolidation of ongoing reforms to strengthen integrity in Morocco.

As the world entered the 21st century and confronted new, increasingly global challenges and rising complexity, many governments recognised that old ways of decision-making and governing were no longer adequate. More than ever, they needed the participation of the entire population and stakeholders outside government to solve the complex problems and to steer their countries’ destinies, increasingly interdependent with others on a global scale. The concept of open and innovative government became more prominent with the ascent of the world financial and economic crisis in 2008, the resulting social unrest in many regions and countries around the world, and the rising environmental global challenges.