MCI cracks down on violations; records 47,000 complaints in 2025

Data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry shows a significant escalation in regulatory enforcement during 2025, with inspection campaigns leading to a sharp rise in shop closures, violations, and consumer complaints as authorities intensified efforts to regulate markets and protect consumers.

According to the figures, inspectors from the Commercial Control Department shut down 283 commercial establishments during inspection tours conducted throughout the year for breaching regulations and official decisions. The number represents a 103.6 percent increase compared with 139 closures recorded in 2024.

Monthly data indicates varying enforcement activity, with closures peaking during the summer months. Only two establishments were closed in January, rising to 26 in February, four in March, and 13 in April.

No closures were recorded in May, before inspections intensified again, resulting in 24 closures in June, 64 in July, and 67 in August.

The ministry later recorded 28 closures in September, three in October, 15 in November, and 37 in December, reports Al-Rai daily.

The ministry also reported a sharp increase in licensing violations, issuing 853 violations in 2025 compared with 382 the previous year — a jump of 123.3 percent. Officials said the rise reflects stronger regulatory oversight targeting administrative compliance alongside price monitoring and commercial practices.

Violations were distributed across the year, with October recording the highest number at 244 cases, followed by November with 120 and September with 100 violations.

Overall, the ministry issued 9,800 violation reports in 2025, marking a 72.2 percent increase compared with 5,692 reports in 2024. Enforcement campaigns intensified particularly during mid-year and early autumn, periods typically associated with increased market activity.

At the same time, authorities reopened 245 previously closed establishments after owners corrected violations and met regulatory requirements, demonstrating what officials described as a corrective — rather than purely punitive — enforcement approach.

Consumer engagement also rose sharply. The ministry received 47,514 complaints in 2025, representing a 54.6 percent increase compared with 30,716 complaints in 2024.

Around 94 percent of complaints — approximately 44,600 cases — were submitted through digital platforms following the activation of WhatsApp reporting services and the government’s electronic platforms, including the Sahel application.

Officials noted that digital transformation played a central role in strengthening oversight by enabling faster reporting and response to market violations.

Consumers can submit complaints through four main channels: visiting Commercial Control centers, calling the hotline (135), sending complaints via WhatsApp, or using the ministry’s electronic platforms and mobile applications.

The ministry also confirmed that inspection campaigns were intensified ahead of Ramadan and national holidays to ensure compliance with pricing regulations and prevent manipulation or artificial price increases that could harm consumers.

Authorities emphasized that 2025 marked a pivotal year in strengthening commercial supervision through a combination of field inspections and digital monitoring tools aimed at improving transparency and market stability.