Morocco energy import bill climbs 28.9% amid war
The nation's energy and lubricant imports reached MAD 68.58 billion in the first half of 2026, up from MAD 53.19 billion a year earlier.
Morocco is among four Middle Eastern and North African economies particularly exposed to rising international fuel and shipping costs due to the war in the Middle East, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The conflict has increased the cost of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas, adding to the energy import bills of Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Lebanon.
The combined monthly energy import bill for these four countries rose by nearly 60% in March 2026, reaching $4.6 billion, and climbed to $4.8 billion by June, a 66% increase from January. Provisional figures from Morocco's Foreign Exchange Office show energy and lubricant imports reached MAD 68.58 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of MAD 15.39 billion compared to the same period in 2025.
The IEA warned that these economies are vulnerable to higher international fuel and shipping costs, which push up transport, electricity, and household energy expenses. The agency noted this crisis tests existing subsidy systems and highlights their limitations in cushioning economies against external price shocks.