Central Bank independence and inflation targeting: The case of Bank Al-Maghrib

Abstract

Inflation targeting is the most recent framework for monetary policy in the world. It is now widely chosen by developed countries as well as by emerging countries. In this logic, that the will of the Moroccan monetary authorities to adopt this new regime fits. However, it has been shown in the literature that adopting this new framework of logic monetary policy requires meeting a set of economic, technical and institutional prerequisites.

In this article, we study the institutional prerequisites in the Moroccan context. In particular, it is a question of measuring the degree of readiness of the Moroccan central bank to target inflation. To achieve this, we measured the degree of independence of the central bank from the government. This independence is generally measured in both legal and real dimensions. The first is to assess the statutes of the central bank to give it a score in this direction. As for real independence, it is measured by the turnover rate of the governors appointed to head the issuing institute, and their political vulnerability when governments change.

At the end of this study, we noted that the two calculated indices, which allow us to consider that the degree of real and legal independence of the Moroccan central bank, is positioned today in an acceptable level, which will be able to consolidate the chances. The success of the Moroccan monetary authorities as part of their transition project towards inflation targeting.

JEL Classification : E52 E58

Paper type : Empirical research