During its annual meeting with the media, the Competition Council chose to revisit the Glovo case, marking a turning point in the regulation of digital platforms in Morocco. In response to the platform's business practices, significant commitments have been approved, paving the way for more proactive regulation of digital markets. DR ‹ › During its annual media briefing, the Competition Council highlighted what it described as a landmark case for 2025: the investigation into delivery platform Glovo, presented as a turning point in the regulation of digital platforms in Morocco. The case revolves around two distinct procedures. The first was initiated by the Council itself as part of its market surveillance mandate, aimed at examining Glovo's commercial practices in Morocco. The second stems from a complaint filed by a competing operator, which raised concerns over fees and contractual conditions that could amount to an abuse of a dominant position. The Council underscored the rapid growth of the food ordering and delivery market. In 2024, the sector generated nearly 25 million orders and an estimated turnover of 3 billion dirhams. More than 6,000 partner businesses operate within this ecosystem, while 17% of Moroccans report using meal-ordering apps, up from just 3% in 2019, with the COVID-19 pandemic acting as a major catalyst. Operating in Morocco since 2018, Glovo has progressively expanded beyond food delivery into large-scale retail and specialized commerce. In 2020, it launched its «market» service, based on its own network of stores. Today, the company claims 6,500 partner businesses, a presence in 35 cities, 9,000 independent couriers, and roughly 80% of platform users nationwide. The investigation stood out for its scope and depth. For the first time, the Competition Council carried out a search and seizure at the company's premises, alongside extensive hearings involving competitors, partners, and users. These inquiries uncovered practices deemed likely to undermine competition and the economic independence of certain partners. A benchmark case for more proactive digital regulation Rather than contesting the findings, Glovo chose to enter into the transactional procedure provided by law, allowing the case to be settled swiftly in exchange for binding commitments. Approved in July 2025, these commitments extend well beyond contractual adjustments. They include the removal of exclusivity clauses, a cap on commissions at 30%, increased transparency, and unprecedented measures benefiting couriers, such as a guaranteed minimum hourly income and the introduction of a road-safety monitoring system. For the Competition Council, the Glovo case marks a step toward more proactive oversight of digital markets, which are shaped by strong network effects, asymmetric access to data, and heightened risks of market dominance. The institution also indicated that similar investigations are ongoing in other platform-based sectors, notably tourist accommodation and transport services.
