New debit card scheme for pensioners.

A lot of ordinary Moroccans, particularly those in rural areas, still work in the cash and barter economy. It is not uncommon to find people who do not have a bank account. For most people this is fine, but there are times when it can be inconvenient, especially when all they want to do is access social security payments. Well, help is on the way in the form of a new cashcard.


Barid Al Maghrib is a multiple service business with international coverage. Set up in 1998, it provides messaging, postal and financial services. Now the business has joined forces with the Moroccan Social Security Department (CNSS)and signed an agreement on 20 April that will establish a cash card payment procedure to allow CNSS benefits to be paid to claimants who do not have bank accounts. The new product, which will be launched in June, will allow card holders to access funds through the various services run by the CNSS.

The new card, under the Visa label, will also serve as a debit card for withdrawals from all automatic teller machines run by Barid Al Maghrib and banks affiliated with the Centre Monétique Interbancaire and for electronic payment for goods at retail outlets.

Saïd Ahmidouche, director general of the CNSS, said that this partnership will strengthen ties between the two institutions, which are firmly committed to a global modernisation process to benefit their customers and users.

Anas Alami, director general of Barid Al Maghrib, expressed hope a similar process can contribute to the successful implementation of compulsory health insurance.

Adding that the launch of the card does not contribute to profit-making, he was careful to explain that the project has a social dimension that will benefit most of the Moroccan population now. Alami feels the cards will make the electronic payments available to all Moroccans without any distinction. Barid Al Maghrib has promised to ensure a 95 per cent availability rate across its automatic teller network.

The card will bear the logos of the CNSS and Barid Al Maghrib and be valid for a period of three years at a price of 20 dirhams annually. Owners will thus have easy access to payments made by the CNSS with the simple-to-use card.

Created in 1961, the CNSS manages all social security payments for employed individuals. Currently, it covers 163,026 affiliated companies, 1,757,847 contributing workers and 300,501 pensioners.

Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news