Morocco launches sweeping reform of HCP to strengthen statistical governance

Sunday 05 July 2026 - 13:45

By: Sahili Aya

Morocco launches sweeping reform of HCP to strengthen statistical governance

Morocco has taken a significant step toward modernizing its public data architecture after the Government Council approved two landmark draft laws designed to overhaul the country's statistical system and redefine the role of the High Commission for Planning (HCP).

The legislative package introduces a comprehensive governance framework aimed at reinforcing the credibility, independence and transparency of official statistics while aligning national institutions with the objectives of the New Development Model (NDM). The reform represents the most substantial restructuring of Morocco's statistical ecosystem in more than a decade.

A new legal foundation for official statistics

The first draft law establishes a modern framework governing the production and dissemination of official statistics. Under the proposed legislation, ministries, public institutions and state-owned enterprises that generate statistical information will all become recognized as official statistical authorities.

These entities will be required to collect, process, preserve and publish data according to internationally recognized professional standards. The legislation formally embeds key principles such as professional independence, impartiality, objectivity, transparency, reliability, relevance and statistical confidentiality into Moroccan law.

The reform is expected to improve coordination among public institutions while increasing confidence in national data used by policymakers, businesses, researchers and media organizations.

National Statistical Council to oversee the system

One of the reform's most notable features is the creation of the National Statistical Council, an autonomous constitutional body established under Article 159 of Morocco's Constitution.

The council will be responsible for monitoring compliance with statistical principles, evaluating the overall performance of the national statistical system and promoting data quality across public institutions.

Its president will submit an annual report to HM King Mohammed VI, while copies will also be provided to the Head of Government and both chambers of Parliament, introducing stronger institutional oversight and greater public accountability.

According to the legislative framework, the council will have up to 24 months following its inaugural meeting to complete its organizational structure. Its governing body will include statistical experts appointed by Royal Decree, additional specialists designated through regulatory procedures, the director of the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA), and a representative from the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE).

HCP transformed into an independent governance institution

The second draft law fundamentally reshapes the High Commission for Planning itself.

Rather than functioning solely as a traditional government administration, the HCP will become an independent constitutional institution dedicated to strategic planning, statistical production and policy evaluation.

Its responsibilities will extend well beyond compiling economic indicators and national accounts. The institution will also play a central role in coordinating public policy analysis, assessing implementation of the New Development Model and integrating regional development indicators into national decision-making.

The restructuring reflects broader efforts to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and improve the strategic use of public data.

Dual operational structure to expand responsibilities

To support its expanded mandate, the HCP will adopt a dual organizational model composed of two specialized divisions.

The first division will oversee the production and publication of national, regional and sectoral statistics as well as economic accounts. The second will focus on coordinating strategic public policies and conducting policy evaluations.

Overall governance will be managed by a steering committee chaired by the High Commissioner and including the heads of both divisions, Royal Decree-appointed experts and government representatives.

The reform also establishes a permanent consultation mechanism intended to facilitate data sharing between public institutions while preserving the neutrality and integrity of official statistics.

Annual activity reports prepared by the High Commissioner will first be reviewed internally before being submitted to the King and presented to Parliament.

Stronger legal powers and protected workforce

The legislation also addresses institutional continuity by guaranteeing that existing civil servants and trainees will retain all employment rights during the transition to the new organizational structure.

In addition, both the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA) and the School of Information Sciences (ESI) will formally come under the HCP's authority.

Perhaps most significantly, the reformed institution will receive enhanced legal powers to request statistical information from public administrations, local authorities and private-sector organizations whenever such data are necessary to conduct official analyses and produce national statistics.

By combining institutional independence with broader access to information, Morocco aims to build a more robust statistical system capable of supporting economic planning, investment decisions and evidence-based public policy in the years ahead.