Will my current terminal continue to work with the new national payment network?

If your terminal is recent (less than 3 years old), NFC-compatible, and from a recognized brand (SUNMI, Ingenico, Verifone), it will likely be compatible with the new network after a software update. TKpay terminals (SUNMI P2, P3) have been operational on Morocco's national payment network since launch and require no intervention. However, very old POS devices (over 5 years), models without NFC, or those using outdated communication protocols will need replacement. Contact your provider to verify your terminal's compatibility.

Will payment fees increase with the new payment network?

The transition to the new national payment network does not automatically mean higher payment fees. On the contrary, opening the market to more competition — a pillar of Bank Al-Maghrib's reform — tends to favor more advantageous conditions for merchants. The MDR remains regulated by Bank Al-Maghrib and international networks. This is the ideal time to compare offers from different providers and renegotiate your terms. TKpay offers competitive MDR rates starting at 0.7% with no hidden fees.

Do I need to sign a new contract for the payment network transition?

Yes, a new contract or amendment to your existing contract is required as part of the migration to the new national payment infrastructure. It is a mandatory administrative formality, but it is also a strategic opportunity to renegotiate your pricing terms (MDR, settlement timelines, terminal fees). You are not obligated to stay with your current provider — the transition is the perfect time to compare offers and choose the partner offering the best overall conditions.

The End of CMI: What It Means for Moroccan Merchants

The CMI Transition: A Historic Turning Point for Moroccan Payments

Morocco's payment sector is undergoing a historic, unprecedented transformation. The Centre Monetique Interbancaire (CMI), the central player in Moroccan electronic payments for two decades, is progressively giving way to a new national payment infrastructure. This transition, led by Bank Al-Maghrib, is restructuring the kingdom's entire payment ecosystem. For Moroccan merchants, understanding this transition and its practical implications is not optional — it is an immediate necessity that directly affects daily operations.

CMI: A 20-Year Legacy in Moroccan Payments

Founded in 2004, the Centre Monetique Interbancaire played a foundational role in developing electronic payments in Morocco. It:

Deployed the national network of payment terminals across the country
Managed Visa and Mastercard card transaction processing
Supported the growth of Moroccan e-commerce and online payments
Built the payment infrastructure that allowed Morocco to grow from a few thousand POS terminals to over 150,000

The CMI combined two essential functions that are crucial to understand:

Acquiring: The commercial relationship with merchants — terminal equipment, card payment processing, and fund settlement
Processing: The technical handling of transactions — routing, clearing, and authorization management

Why Bank Al-Maghrib Decided on This Transition

Bank Al-Maghrib's decision to separate acquiring and processing functions serves several strategic objectives for modernizing the Moroccan market:

1. Technological Modernization

Morocco's payment system needed to evolve to integrate new payment technologies: mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), QR codes, open banking, and digital wallets. The CMI's architecture, designed 20 years ago, lacked the necessary flexibility.

2. Opening the Market to Competition

Separating activities opens the market to new players, stimulating innovation and competitiveness. This potentially means better pricing and improved services for merchants.

3. International Compliance

This separation aligns with best practices observed in Europe (PSD2 directive) and developed financial markets, strengthening the credibility of Morocco's financial system. International networks such as Visa and Mastercard actively encourage this separation of roles in emerging markets.

4. Increased Transparency

Clearer definition of each actor's role in the payment chain allows merchants to better understand their fees and negotiate more effectively.

The New National Payment Network: Morocco's Modern Payment Standard

The new interbank network takes over CMI's acquiring operations and positions itself as Morocco's modern payment operator. Its role covers:

Equipping merchants with certified payment terminals
Processing and routing card transactions
Settling funds to merchants
Providing technical and commercial support
Integrating new payment methods: contactless, mobile, QR code, online payment

The national payment infrastructure has a technology platform designed for current and future use, capable of supporting omnichannel payment (in-store, online, and mobile) with unified infrastructure.

What Changes Concretely for Your Business

Acquiring Contracts

Contracts previously signed with CMI are migrating progressively to the new national payment network. Merchants are being contacted to sign new contracts or amendments. This is the opportunity to renegotiate your commercial terms:

MDR rate: Compare with competing offers
Settlement timelines: The new network targets shorter periods
Included services: Dashboard, support, advanced features
Termination conditions: Avoid restrictive long-term commitments

Terminal Replacement

Some older terminals deployed by CMI will need replacement with models compatible with the new national payment platform:

POS devices over 5 years old using outdated protocols
Terminals without NFC readers (contactless has become the norm)
Models that do not support remote updates

As we explain in our guide to smart payment terminals, this is the ideal opportunity to upgrade to a modern Smart POS rather than simply replacing an old device with another basic one.

Fund Settlement

The new national payment network targets shorter settlement timelines and improved operation traceability. With providers like TKpay, settlement can occur in under 12 hours, compared to 3-7 days under some legacy CMI contracts.

Technical Support

Technical support is now provided by the national payment network or by certified partners like TKpay. Legacy CMI support numbers and maintenance procedures are being updated progressively.

The CMI Transition Timeline

The transition is being carried out progressively and systematically:

Notification phase: Merchants receive official communication about their contract migration
Signing phase: New contracts are established with the new national network or a certified partner
Equipment phase: Incompatible terminals are replaced with certified models
Switchover phase: Transaction processing is activated via the new national payment platform
Follow-up phase: Post-migration support period ensures service continuity

5 Actions Every Merchant Should Take Now

Do not let the transition happen to you — get ahead of it. Here are the steps to take immediately:

Review your current contract: Identify your expiration date, renewal terms, and any termination clauses. Keep a copy of your current pricing conditions.

Assess your terminal: An old POS device without NFC or using outdated protocols will need replacement. Verify compatibility with the new national payment network through your current provider.

Compare market offers: The transition is a unique opportunity to renegotiate your terms. Request quotes from multiple providers and compare MDR, terminal fees, settlement timelines, and included services.

Choose a certified partner: Ensure your future provider is already fully integrated with Morocco's national payment network — not still in the process of integrating.

Plan the migration: Do not wait until the last moment. A planned migration avoids service interruptions and gives you time to train your staff.

Impact on Payment Fees: Good News for Merchants

The payment infrastructure transition can have a positive impact on your payment fees:

More competition: Market opening means more options and downward pressure on prices. All sectors are affected, including gas stations modernizing their checkout
Increased transparency: Clearly separated roles make fee understanding and negotiation easier
Modernized services: New providers offer value-added services (dashboard, express settlement, 24/7 support) that justify their pricing

For a detailed fee analysis, consult our guide to card payment fees in Morocco.

TKpay: Fully Compatible with Morocco's National Payment Network Since Day One

TKpay has been integrated with the national payment platform since the launch of its services. Merchants equipped by TKpay have no additional steps to take:

SUNMI P2 and P3 terminals are natively compatible with the national payment network
Transactions are already routed through the Moroccan interbank network
The TKpay dashboard already reflects the new operational framework
Technical support is already aligned with the new network's procedures

For merchants transitioning from CMI, TKpay offers comprehensive, turnkey support:

Contract migration management: TKpay handles administrative formalities with the national payment network
Old terminal replacement with latest-generation SUNMI Smart POS
Activation within 48 hours with staff training
Competitive MDR starting at 0.7% with no hidden fees
Express settlement in under 12 hours
24/7 technical support in French and Arabic

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

Will my transaction history be preserved?

Yes, your transaction history remains accessible. The new national payment infrastructure ensures service continuity and data retention in compliance with applicable regulations. With TKpay, your dashboard retains your complete transaction history.

Does the transition affect e-commerce?

Yes, e-commerce acquiring contracts also migrate to the new national payment network. If you accept online payments, as we explain in our e-commerce guide, your payment gateway must be certified for the new network. TKpay manages this transition for its online merchants.

What happens if I do nothing?

If you take no action, your CMI contract will expire and you risk an interruption in your ability to accept card payments. It is strongly recommended to anticipate and choose a certified partner before this deadline.

Conclusion: Seize This Modernization Opportunity

Discover our TKpay payment terminals to support your transition to electronic payments.

The end of CMI and the arrival of Morocco's new national payment network mark a positive turning point for Moroccan electronic payments. This transition brings modernization, increased competition, and transparency that benefit merchants. Rather than letting it happen to you, use it as a strategic opportunity to renegotiate your terms, modernize your terminal, and choose a partner offering the best services. By choosing TKpay — a partner already integrated with the national payment infrastructure offering modern terminals, competitive MDR, and dedicated support — you navigate this transition smoothly, without service interruption and with support at every step. Contact TKpay today to plan your migration.