The End of CMI: What It Means for Moroccan Merchants

Morocco's Payment Landscape Is Transforming

The Moroccan payments sector is undergoing a historic transformation. The Centre Monetique Interbancaire (CMI), the central player in Moroccan electronic payments for two decades, is progressively giving way to NAPS (Nouvelles Avancees des Paiements et Services). This transition, led by Bank Al-Maghrib, aims to modernize the kingdom's payment infrastructure and align it with international standards.

CMI: A 20-Year Legacy

Founded in 2004, the CMI played a foundational role in developing electronic payments in Morocco. It deployed the national network of payment terminals, managed card transaction processing, and supported the growth of Moroccan e-commerce.

The CMI served two essential functions:

Acquiring: The commercial relationship with merchants — equipping them with terminals, processing card payments, and settling funds
Processing: The technical handling of transactions — routing, clearing, and authorization management

Why the Transition?

Bank Al-Maghrib decided to separate these two functions for several strategic reasons:

Modernization: Morocco's payment system needs to integrate new technologies such as mobile payments, QR codes, and open banking
Competition: Separating activities opens the market to new players, stimulating innovation and competitiveness
International compliance: This separation aligns with best practices observed in Europe and developed financial markets
Transparency: Clearer definition of each actor's role in the payment chain

NAPS: The New Standard

NAPS takes over the acquiring side of CMI's operations. Its role is to manage the direct relationship with merchants:

Equipping businesses with payment terminals
Processing and routing transactions
Settling funds to merchants
Providing technical and commercial support

NAPS positions itself as a modern operator, with a technology platform designed for current and future payment methods: contactless, mobile, online, and QR code payments.

What Changes Concretely for Merchants

Contracts

Acquiring contracts previously signed with CMI are migrating progressively to NAPS. Merchants are being contacted to sign new contracts or amendments. Commercial conditions — including MDR rates and settlement timelines — can be renegotiated during this process.

Terminals

Some older terminals deployed by CMI will need to be replaced with models compatible with the new NAPS platform. This applies particularly to end-of-life devices or those using outdated protocols.

Fund Settlement

Settlement timelines and procedures may evolve. NAPS targets shorter settlement periods and improved traceability of operations.

Technical Support

Technical support is now provided by NAPS or by certified partners. Support numbers and maintenance procedures are being updated accordingly.

The Transition Timeline

The CMI-to-NAPS transition is being carried out progressively. Merchants are guided through the following stages:

Notification: Merchants receive official communication about the migration
Contract signing: New agreements are established with NAPS
Equipment: Terminals are replaced if necessary
Switchover: Transaction processing is activated via the NAPS platform
Follow-up: A post-migration support period ensures smooth operations

What Merchants Should Do Now

Review your current contract: Identify your renewal date and existing terms
Assess your terminal: An older POS device may not be compatible with the NAPS platform
Plan for renegotiation: The transition is an opportunity to revisit your pricing conditions
Choose a NAPS-certified partner: Ensure your payment provider is already integrated with the new network

TKpay: Already NAPS-Compatible

TKpay has been fully integrated with the NAPS platform since the launch of its services. Merchants equipped by TKpay have no additional steps to take — their SUNMI P2 and P3 terminals are natively compatible, and transactions are already routed through the NAPS network.

For merchants transitioning from CMI, TKpay offers comprehensive support:

Management of the contract migration process
Replacement of old terminals with SUNMI Smart POS devices
Activation within 48 hours
Training on the new terminal and merchant dashboard

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my current terminal continue to work?

If your terminal is recent and NFC-compatible, it will likely work with NAPS after a software update. TKpay terminals are already operational on the NAPS network. However, very old POS devices will need to be replaced.

Will fees increase?

The transition to NAPS does not automatically mean higher fees. On the contrary, opening the market to competition can lead to more favorable conditions. This is an ideal time to compare offers and renegotiate.

Do I need to sign a new contract?

Yes, a new contract or amendment is required as part of the NAPS migration. It is an administrative formality, but also an opportunity to choose a partner that offers the best conditions for your business.

Will my transaction history be preserved?

Your transaction history remains accessible. NAPS ensures service continuity and data retention in compliance with applicable regulations.

Conclusion

The end of CMI and the arrival of NAPS represent a positive turning point for Moroccan electronic payments. This transition brings modernization, competition, and transparency that benefit merchants. By choosing a partner already integrated with NAPS like TKpay, you can navigate this transition smoothly, without service interruption and with support at every step.