Morocco is a country renowned for its openness to foreign investment

Starting a business in Morocco can be a great opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to take advantage of the country's economic growth. However, several steps must be taken to successfully establish a business in Morocco.

That said, setting up a business requires in-depth preparation in advance as well as tailor-made support to avoid any potential complications during the creation process.

The Moroccan government has put in place various measures to make it easier for entrepreneurs to set up and operate a business in the country. Here are the steps to follow to start a business in Morocco.

The different steps to create a business and start a business in Morocco:

Choosing a business structure: Capital companies: the public limited company (SA), the limited liability company (SARL), the simplified joint stock company (SAS) and the partnership limited by shares.
Apart from the sole proprietorship, the LLC remains the most common form.

Each legal form has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consult an accountant to determine which one is best for your business.

The number of business creations in Morocco stood at 54.381 in the first seven months of 2022, according to the Moroccan Office for Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC)

We detail below the characteristics of the SARL, the SA and the branch:

Characteristics of the public limited company (SA)
Commercial company in which the partners, called shareholders because of a right represented by a negotiable title or share, only bear the social debts up to the amount of their contributions, one of the most common legal forms for large investments in the Morocco.

Main characteristics :
The number of shareholders cannot be less than 5.
The minimum capital is 300.000 DH.
Shares in cash must be paid up upon subscription for at least 1/4 of their nominal value. Shares in kind are fully paid up when they are issued.
Shareholders are only liable up to the amount of their contributions;
Characteristics of the Limited Liability Company (SARL)
The SARL is a commercial company which constitutes a good compromise between the ease of management generally attributed to partnerships and the protection of capital companies.

The acquisition of legal personality is subject to registration in the commercial register.

Main characteristics :
A single person called – sole partner – can constitute the SARL.
The maximum number of partners cannot exceed 50.
The amount of share capital is freely set by the partners
If the capital exceeds MAD 100.000, the shares representing contributions in cash must be paid up by at least a quarter of their amount;

The partners are only liable up to the amount of their contributions;
The stages of creating a company in Morocco

Obtaining negative certificate: Once you have chosen a business structure, you will need to obtain a document which certifies that the name is not already in use and can therefore be registered for registration in the commercial register and a tax identification number.
Company registration: After obtaining the necessary negative certificate, you will need to register your business with the Regional Tax Directorate to obtain the professional tax identification number (TP) and the tax identifier (IF).
Securing financing: Before starting your business, you will need to secure financing. This may involve getting a loan from a bank, finding investors, or using your own personal savings.
Find a location: You will need to find a suitable location for your business. This may involve renting or purchasing a physical space or starting an online business.
Hiring employees: Once your business is registered, you will need to hire employees. This may include recruiting, hiring and training employees, as well as complying with Moroccan labor laws and regulations.
Opening a bank account: In order to carry out business transactions, you will need to open a bank account in your business name. This will require providing a copy of your business registration certificate, tax identification number and other relevant documents.
Comply with accounting and tax rules: Finally, you must comply with Moroccan tax laws and regulations. It is recommended to be accompanied by an accountant who will ensure the compliance of the various declarations and will advise you on how to better develop your business.