The verdict in three sentences
For a home appliance retailer in Casablanca opening online sales, CMI payment integration costs MAD 15,000 to 40,000 excl. VAT (about EUR 1,400 to 3,700) on the development side, plus a 1.5 to 3 % fee per transaction negotiated with your bank. The real timeline is set by the bank: allow 3 to 6 weeks between requesting the distance-selling contract and the first live payment. Since cash on delivery remains dominant in Morocco, the right project does not replace cash: it gradually pushes card payment with measurable incentives.
The banking steps one by one
The Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI) provides the gateway, but your bank signs the online merchant contract. The file takes longer than for an in-store card terminal.
| Step | What to provide | Typical 2026 delay |
|---|---|---|
| Request to the bank | Trade register, ICE number, articles, bank details | 1 week |
| Website review by the bank | Terms of sale, legal notice, returns policy, VAT-inclusive MAD prices | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Distance-selling contract signature | Fee rate, limits, settlement delay | 1 week |
| Test credentials received | Store key, merchant ID | 2 to 5 days |
| Integration and CMI testing | 3-D Secure tests, payment callbacks, refunds | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Go-live | Final CMI validation | 2 to 5 days |
The most common blocker is an incomplete website at review time. A bank will reject a site without clear terms, without a physical address or with prices excluding VAT. Prepare those pages before filing and you save two weeks.
What the technical integration costs
| Item | Scope | 2026 budget excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| CMI module on WooCommerce or PrestaShop | Existing plugin, setup, testing | MAD 15,000 to 22,000 |
| Integration on a custom site | Gateway call, hash verification, return page | MAD 22,000 to 32,000 |
| Refunds and cancellations | Back-office interface linked to CMI | MAD 4,000 to 8,000 |
| Instalment payments | Depending on the bank or a credit partner | MAD 6,000 to 12,000 |
| Accounting reconciliation | Transaction export to accounting | MAD 3,000 to 6,000 |
| Fee per transaction | Negotiated on volume | 1.5 to 3 % |
| Fixed bank fees | Monthly subscription depending on the bank | MAD 0 to 500 per month |
For an appliance site, the high average basket (often MAD 3,000 to 6,000) helps in the negotiation. Above MAD 500,000 of annual card revenue, a fee close to 1.5 % is achievable.
Making card and cash on delivery coexist
For appliances, Moroccan buyers want to see the product before paying. Removing cash on delivery would cut sales. The effective strategy keeps it while making card payment attractive: free delivery for card payers, priority installation, or a 2 to 3 % discount. Cash on delivery has hidden costs: carrier collection fees (often 1 to 2 % of the amount), refused parcels (10 to 20 % depending on category) and a 7 to 15 day cash-in delay.
Mini case study
Youssef runs an appliance chain in Casablanca. He targets 400 online orders a month with an average basket of MAD 4,000, or MAD 1,600,000 in sales. With cash on delivery only, 15 % of parcels are refused: 60 returns at MAD 250 round-trip shipping, MAD 15,000 lost per month, plus 1.5 % collection fees (MAD 24,000). He integrates CMI for MAD 26,000 excl. VAT and offers free delivery to card payers. If 35 % of customers switch to card, he pays 2 % on MAD 560,000 (MAD 11,200) but saves about MAD 8,400 in collection fees and MAD 5,200 in returns. The net gain is modest at first, but cash arrives immediately and treasury gains two weeks. Estimated payback between 6 and 9 months, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
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FAQ
Does CMI accept foreign cards?
Yes, Visa and Mastercard cards issued abroad are accepted, often with a fee 0.5 to 1 point higher. This is useful for diaspora buyers purchasing equipment for their family.
Can we use Stripe instead of CMI?
Not for a Moroccan company collecting MAD into a local account in 2026. CMI remains the standard route, possibly through an approved local aggregator.
Does 3-D Secure lower conversion?
It adds an SMS step, with 5 to 10 % more drop-offs depending on issuing banks. It is mandatory, however, and shifts fraud liability to the cardholder's bank.
How quickly do we receive the money?
Settlement to your account usually takes D+1 to D+3 business days, versus 7 to 15 days for cash collected by a carrier.
Do we need a developer for maintenance?
A contract of MAD 800 to 2,000 per month covers module updates, failed payment monitoring and certificate changes.
Let's scope your project. We prepare your bank file and integrate CMI on your existing or new site, for an indicative budget of MAD 15,000 to 40,000 excl. VAT and go-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.
