In keeping with the African Improvement Financial institution (AfDB)’s 2025 Africa Industrialization Index, Morocco has overtaken South Africa to change into Africa’s most industrialized nation.
The report, launched in the course of the AfDB’s 2026 Annual Assembly in Brazzaville, marks the primary time that Morocco has been changed by South Africa, which has lengthy been thought-about the continent’s industrial chief.
In keeping with the AfDB, Morocco’s rise has been pushed by the modernization of its industrial sector, the diversification of its exports and a constant industrial coverage over the previous 20 years.
The report states that this growth marks a serious shift in Africa’s industrial panorama, with Morocco steadily constructing a powerful export-oriented economic system by means of investments in infrastructure, industrial parks, free zones and world manufacturing partnerships.
South Africa stays one among Africa’s largest manufacturing economies, however its dominance is regularly eroding as Morocco expands its affect throughout key sectors corresponding to automotive manufacturing, aerospace, chemical compounds, electrical merchandise and agro-processing, the AfDB mentioned.
The index evaluated all 54 African international locations from 2010 to 2024 utilizing indicators corresponding to productiveness development, competitiveness, diversification and integration into world worth chains.
In keeping with the report, 41 African international locations improved their industrialization scores over the interval, with Africa’s general industrial efficiency rising by 6%.
Nevertheless, the AfDB mentioned industrial development throughout the continent stays uneven, with North and Southern Africa persevering with to dominate the sector.
Morocco’s automotive trade has been famous as one of many strongest drivers of its industrial growth, with the nation presently serving as a serious manufacturing and export platform to the European market.
The aerospace sector additionally recorded vital development.
The report refers to a €200 million funding introduced by French aerospace large Safran in October 2025 to ascertain an Airbus engine meeting line and upkeep facility close to Casablanca.
Morocco presently has round 150 aerospace corporations, using round 25,000 individuals, and aerospace exports are anticipated to succeed in Dh26 billion in 2024.
Regardless of Morocco’s rise, the AfDB mentioned Africa’s industrial footprint on the world stage stays restricted.
In keeping with the report, the continent accounts for lower than 2% of worldwide manufacturing and simply 1.4% of manufactured items exports.
The newly launched Africa Industrial Funding Barometer additionally reveals that North Africa will entice 56% of the continent’s cumulative industrial funding from 2020 to 2025, with Morocco and Egypt main the area.
AfDB mentioned Morocco’s newest rating displays a deliberate technique to make use of industrialization as a method of financial sovereignty, export growth and funding attraction.
The report added that Morocco is more and more turning into a mannequin for Africa on account of its success in attracting funding, growing export-driven industries and constructing a aggressive industrial base.
