Uber’s taxi freeze sparks backlash among drivers in Morocco

Uber Morocco has triggered fresh tension in the already heated debate over ride-hailing and taxis after announcing it will not accept taxi drivers on its platform for now.

The company says the reason is that Morocco still does not have a clear legal and regulatory framework allowing taxis to officially operate through ride-hailing apps.

In a statement addressed to taxi professionals in Marrakech who wanted to join Uber, the company made it clear that there is currently no legal basis for integrating taxis into its platform.

Uber said that its activities in Morocco are limited to licensed and regulated tourist transport services, which it claims do not conflict with traditional taxi services.

Uber added that if Moroccan authorities eventually introduce laws regulating app-based passenger transport and allow taxi integration, the company would be open to discussions on possible cooperation.

Any future move, it said, would align with the national transport strategy and the state’s broader plans to modernize the sector.

The announcement did not go down well. Many drivers working through ride-hailing apps expressed anger, saying the decision came suddenly and caused serious harm, especially to young people who depend on platforms like Careem for their income.

Mohamed Ajmat, deputy secretary-general of the Democratic Transport Union in the Marrakech–Safi region, questioned how the company could exclude taxi drivers over the lack of regulation when, according to him, Uber itself does not have official authorization to operate passenger transport via apps in Morocco.

Ajmat accused the company of bending the law by relying on tourist transport licenses, calling on the Minister of Tourism and Transport and local authorities in cities like Marrakech and Casablanca to investigate and withdraw licenses from tourist transport companies working through Uber.

He said that tourist transport is legally intended for foreign tourists, not Moroccan citizens, warning that this situation threatens the taxi sector, especially in major tourist hubs.

Tarek Driouch, national secretary-general of self-employed drivers working on smart transport apps, said Uber’s decision was taken without prior notice or dialogue and failed to consider the tough economic reality facing many drivers.

Some, Driouch noted, had taken out loans to buy cars specifically to work through these apps.

According to Driouch, the move has deepened the social and financial struggles of drivers and added to frustration across the sector. He also reiterated that operating through tourist transport licenses to serve Moroccans is illegal under existing regulations.