Morocco sets benchmark in digital trade facilitation

Morocco has emerged as a global example in trade digitalization and maritime efficiency, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) 2025 Review of Maritime Transport. The spotlight is on the PORTNET system, an electronic single window for ports and trade operations.

Launched in 2011 as a maritime single window and expanded in 2015 to cover all administrative procedures linked to international trade, PORTNET now operates across 14 Moroccan ports under the National Ports Agency. It connects more than 42 public institutions and provides 120 online services, including customs clearance, ship arrival and departure formalities, and logistics coordination.

The platform processes approximately 5,000 transactions daily, with import licence processing times reduced from five days to just three hours. These improvements have significantly enhanced trade competitiveness, particularly in a country where maritime transport accounts for over 95% of import and export flows.

UNCTAD singled out PORTNET as a “best practice to share with developing countries,” praising its role in improving transparency, logistics performance, and regulatory compliance. Hassiba Benamara, an economist with UNCTAD’s Trade Logistics Branch, noted that PORTNET exemplifies successful public-private sector collaboration, strengthening maritime connectivity and supporting adherence to international commitments, including the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

For trade, logistics, and port operators, Morocco’s experience demonstrates the tangible benefits of integrating digital systems into complex port operations. Real-time data sharing, streamlined administrative processes, and enhanced coordination between government and private actors translate directly into faster, more predictable, and more competitive trade flows.

See how Morocco’s digital-first approach is shaping the future of global trade facilitation. Read here.