The verdict in three sentences
For a UK exporter selling in Morocco through a local entity, the Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI) is the standard route to collect online payments in dirhams: it accepts Moroccan CMI cards, Visa and Mastercard and settles into a local bank account. Total start-up cost sits between MAD 9,500 and 23,000 (about GBP 750 to 1,850), setup and integration included, with a 1.5 to 2.5% fee per transaction. Allow 3 to 6 weeks for approval, and keep your UK gateway only for customers paying in pounds or euros.
What CMI really costs in 2026
Onboarding goes through a Moroccan bank (Attijariwafa, BMCE Bank of Africa, Banque Populaire, CIH, Société Générale Maroc...), which signs the remote-sales contract and forwards the file to CMI. Rates depend on expected volume and the banking relationship.
| Item | 2026 range | Frequency | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce setup fee | MAD 1,500 to 3,000 (GBP 120 to 240) | one-off | Sometimes waived for good bank clients |
| Fee on Moroccan cards | 1.5 to 2% | per transaction | Negotiable above MAD 100,000 per month |
| Fee on foreign Visa and Mastercard | 2 to 2.5% | per transaction | Plus possible FX costs |
| Monthly subscription | MAD 0 to 200 | monthly | Depends on the bank |
| Technical integration on an existing site | MAD 8,000 to 20,000 (GBP 640 to 1,600) | one-off | WooCommerce, PrestaShop or custom module |
| SSL certificate and compliance | MAD 0 to 1,500 | yearly | Required for approval |
| Settlement to account | D+1 to D+3 | ongoing | Depends on the acquiring bank |
On WooCommerce or PrestaShop, an existing CMI module brings integration down to about MAD 8,000. On a custom application, with refunds, server notifications and accounting reconciliation, the budget rises to MAD 15,000 to 20,000.
Approval steps, one by one
CMI requires a working website before granting production access. This is where schedules slip.
| Step | Timeline | Documents or actions | Common pitfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application with the bank | 1 week | Trade register, ICE number, articles, bank details | Business activity poorly described |
| File review by bank and CMI | 1 to 2 weeks | Remote-sales form | No terms of sale online |
| Test credentials issued | a few days | Client ID, hash key | Wrong hash configuration |
| Development and testing | 1 to 2 weeks | Return pages, server callback | Unsecured callback |
| CMI acceptance and go-live | 1 week | Legal notice, refund policy | CMI and card logos missing on site |
For a well-prepared company, the whole process fits in three weeks. With an incomplete file or a non-compliant site, six weeks is common.
CMI or an international gateway for foreign customers
UK exporters often already run Stripe or PayPal at home. The question is whether to keep them for Moroccan sales. International gateways need an entity outside Morocco and settle in GBP or EUR, which suits cross-border sales but not local dirham pricing.
| Criterion | CMI | Stripe or PayPal via UK entity | Payzone or local aggregator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settlement in MAD | Yes | No, GBP or EUR | Yes |
| Entity required | Moroccan company | UK, EU or US company | Moroccan company |
| Indicative fee | 1.5 to 2.5% | 1.5 to 3.5% plus FX | 2 to 3% |
| Acceptance of Moroccan cards | High | Variable | High |
| Mobile experience | Decent | Very good | Good |
Our recommendation: CMI on the Moroccan subsidiary's site for local customers, and the UK gateway for buyers paying in pounds or euros.
Mini case study
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Karim, managing director of the Casablanca subsidiary of a UK office supplies exporter, closes 40% of sales through quotes and bank transfers and wants to open online payment.
- Start-up: setup fee MAD 2,000, integration on WooCommerce MAD 9,500, i.e. MAD 11,500 (about GBP 910).
- Expected volume: 180 orders a month at an MAD 850 average basket, i.e. MAD 153,000 collected online.
- Fee at 1.8%: MAD 2,754 per month.
- Gain: transfer chasing removed (about 25 hours a month) and an estimated 12% more orders, i.e. MAD 18,360 of monthly revenue and roughly MAD 5,500 of margin.
The initial investment is recovered in a little over four months.
FAQ
Can a UK company use CMI without a Moroccan entity?
No, CMI contracts go through a Moroccan bank and require a Moroccan registered company with an ICE number. Setting up a local SARL typically takes 2 to 4 weeks before the CMI application.
Is the CMI fee negotiable?
Yes, from around MAD 100,000 of monthly volume, the bank can go down to about 1.3 to 1.5% on Moroccan cards. Show revenue history to support the request.
Does CMI accept payments from abroad?
Yes, foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted at a higher fee, around 2 to 2.5%. The customer sees the amount in dirhams, converted by their bank.
How fast are funds settled?
Funds usually arrive between D+1 and D+3. Partial refunds are handled from the merchant interface or the API.
Is a data protection filing required?
Yes, Moroccan law 09-08 requires a filing with the CNDP for customer data processing. It is free and takes about two weeks to prepare alongside approval.
Let's scope your project. Send us your current site, your Moroccan bank and monthly volume, and we will price a turnkey CMI integration between MAD 8,000 and 20,000, live in 3 to 6 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
