Morocco’s Interior Ministry has launched a wide-ranging crackdown on investors accused of misusing industrial land, according to government sources speaking to Hespress Ar.
Officials say plots granted at symbolic prices for factory development are now being left idle, resold, or repurposed into schools and clinics in apparent efforts to increase property values — in direct violation of development agreements.
The ministry has issued strict instructions to regional governors and local authorities to investigate cases of misuse and report back. The review will focus on industrial zones in Nouaceur and Berrechid, near Casablanca, where numerous complaints have been filed about land speculation and unauthorized land-use changes.
“Many of these investors committed to building factories but are now pursuing more lucrative ventures,” a source familiar with the matter said.
Local authorities have also been directed to examine technical and legal documents, particularly in instances where land-use modification requests were previously denied by the Urban Agency of Casablanca-Settat.
Officials say the issue is undermining the government’s broader efforts to stimulate industrial development. The Ministry wants to ensure that industrial zones grow as planned, especially as public investment in infrastructure continues to rise.
At the center of the crackdown is the enforcement of Law 102.21, which requires investors to begin development within a specific timeframe or risk forfeiting the land. The law also prohibits converting industrial plots for other uses, such as education or health services, unless explicitly authorized.
The Interior Ministry is also examining whether local governments have been enforcing these regulations adequately.
Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour confirmed that his department is also pursuing legal action to reclaim unexploited industrial plots. Speaking in Parliament, Mezzour blamed real estate speculation for stalling industrial growth and emphasized the need for strict compliance with land-use rules.
Regional investment centers and urban planning agencies are being asked to coordinate more closely to address long-stalled projects and unlock frozen land deals.
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