1981 Maghreb Athletics Championships

Organised by the Union des Fédérations d'Athlétisme du Maghreb Uni (Union of Athletics Federations of the United Maghreb), it took place in Casablanca, Morocco from 15–17 July.

[1] A total of 39 athletics events were contested, 23 for men and 16 for women.

With Morocco absent, the hosts, Algeria, were dominant at the competition, winning a total of 29 gold medals.

The women's heptathlon was introduced, replacing the women's pentathlon in line with the new international standard set at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics.

A women's 400 metres hurdles and Maghreb men's marathon were also staged for the first time.