UK eyes $33 billion in Moroccan government contracts in first-ever African procurement deal

The UK is considering a new agreement with Morocco that could give British companies greater access to a public procurement market estimated at about £33 billion ($44.5 billion) over the next few years.

The proposed deal would mark the UK’s first legally binding government procurement commitments with Morocco and with an African country, according to a UK government call for evidence launched Monday.

The initiative is part of Britain’s Trade Strategy, published in June 2025, and would add a government procurement chapter to the existing UK-Morocco association agreement.

The two countries already signed a memorandum of understanding in June 2025 aimed at increasing cooperation in public procurement. The proposed treaty chapter would go further by creating enforceable rules governing access to public contracts.

Government procurement covers contracts through which public authorities buy goods and services or hire private companies for projects such as construction.

For British companies, the proposed agreement could open more opportunities to compete for Moroccan public contracts while requiring both sides to apply fair and non-discriminatory rules to suppliers.

The UK government said the agreement would set out which contracts are covered and create a framework designed to make procurement more open and transparent.

The British government is now seeking feedback from businesses and other interested parties before deciding how to proceed. The consultation, which began Aug. 24, will run until Sept. 11.

Officials are particularly interested in hearing from UK businesses that have experience with Morocco’s public procurement market, including companies that have considered bidding for contracts but decided not to pursue them.

The call for evidence asks businesses to identify barriers they have faced, including any difficulties that could discourage them from competing for Moroccan government contracts.

Respondents are also being asked what priorities a future UK-Morocco procurement agreement should address and which companies or organizations they represent that have an interest in the Moroccan market.

The UK said it is still in the scoping stage and that any future negotiating timetable will depend on further discussions and evidence gathered through the consultation.

The consultation is open to individuals, businesses, business associations, nongovernmental organizations, public-sector bodies and other interested groups.

The British government said responses will be used to help shape its negotiating position and design what it described as an effective trade agreement.