The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has triggered a clandestine surge in the illegal sex trade and highlighted ongoing human trafficking concerns despite the country’s strict prohibitory laws.
While AFCON 2025 has brought global football brilliance and economic growth to Morocco, the influx of nearly one million tourists has also sparked a significant surge in the illegal sex trade.
Despite strict Islamic laws punishable by up to a year in prison, the demand for prostitution has spiked during the tournament.
Insiders report that local workers have developed sophisticated methods to circumvent legal barriers, particularly the regulations prohibiting unmarried Moroccan women from sharing hotel rooms with men.
To avoid prying eyes and legal documentation, many have shifted operations to nightclubs in major cities to meet prospective clients.
Sources indicate that prices for these services currently range from 300 to 1,500 Moroccan dirhams, depending on the duration and location.
While authorities in conservative hubs like Rabat and Casablanca remain vigilant, enforcement is reportedly more lenient in “Europeanised” hotspots such as Tangier, which has become a primary center for the underground trade.
The rise in illicit activity coincides with a sobering report from the United States government, which recently categorized Morocco as a Tier 2 country in its 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report.
The study revealed that 452 individuals were identified as potential trafficking victims last year, with a high percentage involving sexual exploitation.
Traffickers often lure vulnerable girls from rural areas or forcefully exploit migrants and children in vacation homes, particularly in cities currently hosting football fans.
The U.S. report specifically highlighted that “documented and undocumented foreign migrants, especially women and children, are highly vulnerable to forced labor and sex trafficking in Morocco and as they transit through Morocco to reach Europe.”
To mitigate risks, local operators often direct clients to private apartments where relationship documentation is not required.
As the tournament reaches its peak, the contrast between the high-profile sporting event and the growing humanitarian concerns remains a significant point of international scrutiny.