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Moroccan Parliament unanimously passes reforms to strengthen the High Commission for Planning and the National Statistical System
In a single legislative session, the Moroccan Chamber of Representatives approved by unanimous vote two bills – one modernising the High Commission for Planning (HCP) and the other overhauling the national statistical framework. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit presented the measures as a cornerstone of Morocco’s wider push for institutional modernization, better governance and a data‑driven approach to policy planning and evaluation.
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Unanimous approval of two reform bills
On Monday, the Moroccan Chamber of Representatives voted unanimously to adopt Bill No. 047.26 concerning the High Commission for Planning (HCP) and Bill No. 046.26 establishing a modern national statistical system.
Government’s reform agenda
Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit framed the legislation as a comprehensive reform package aimed at modernising Morocco’s institutional and legal architecture, reinforcing good governance and institutionalising a culture of strategic planning and evaluation based on reliable data.
Why the changes are needed
Since its creation, the HCP has built a pioneering track record in producing official statistics, compiling national accounts and carrying out economic, social and demographic studies. These activities have supplied the data that the state relies on to design public policies and monitor their implementation.
However, deep socioeconomic transformations and the evolution of international best‑practice in planning, evaluation and statistics have made it essential to revise the existing legal framework. The goal is to boost HCP’s independence, improve its governance and expand its competences.
Modernising the statistical legal regime
The experience also highlighted the need to update the legal regime governing official statistics, ensuring complementarity among statistical producers, improving data quality and reliability, and cementing principles of professional independence, impartiality and transparency.
Two pillars of the reform
- Reorganisation of the HCP: turning the Commission into an independent constitutional body with enhanced governance and new mandates in statistics, planning, evaluation and strategic coordination.
- Creation of a modern national statistical system: establishing an integrated legal framework that coordinates the work of all public and semi‑public entities that produce official statistics.
Key features of the HCP bill
The bill proposes to transform the HCP into a good‑governance institution that, besides producing and disseminating statistical information and compiling national, regional and sectoral accounts, will be tasked with supporting the strategic coordination of development policies.
It introduces a regional dimension: territorial offices will be set up, regional accounts will be produced and local authorities will receive the statistical data they need to exercise their competences.
To strengthen governance, a Directorate Committee will be created, chaired by the High Commissioner and composed of two pole presidents, experts appointed by royal decree, statisticians, evaluation specialists and state representatives.
Key features of the national statistical system bill
The legislation creates a modern, integrated legal framework that will improve the governance, quality and reliability of official statistics. It defines the components of the statistical system – the public statistical institute, state services, public establishments, state‑owned enterprises and public‑service organisations – and their respective missions.
Statistical bodies will be required to produce and disseminate data in line with quality standards, methodologies, procedures and nomenclatures set by the National Council for Statistical Information, which will also define concepts, standards, methodologies and oversee their implementation.
The Council, equipped with legal personality and financial autonomy, will safeguard the fundamental principles of official statistics, ensure the proper functioning of the national statistical system and continuously improve its performance.
Overall significance
Both bills lay the groundwork for a new phase of state‑capacity building in Morocco, positioning data‑driven planning, independent statistics and objective policy evaluation at the core of public‑sector decision‑making. The reforms are expected to enhance the efficiency of public policies and improve the quality of services delivered to citizens.